Kenilworth Wardens 156-8

Barnt Green 158-4

Barnt Green won by six wickets

ALL rounder Roger Sillence showed his considerable prowess with the bat to steer Barnt Green to the top of the Birmingham and District League Premier Division on Saturday.

The Gloucestershire player produced a confident innings at Cherry Hill Road, which settled Green's nerves after an early batting collapse and helped see off a battling Kenilworth side.

The victory also saw Green leapfrog West Brom Dartmouth, who drew with Knowle and Dorridge, to the top of the table.

Team manager Paul Clarke praised Sillence's impact on the team this season.

He said: "Roger's a class above. He's a brilliant player and has been tremendous for us.

"He batted sensibly when we had a few wobbles and really won the match."

Bowling first Green had made a fine start to the game, with Worcestershire pace-man David Wigley (3-23) taking three early wickets to leave their Warwickshire opponents in trouble.

Once Gareth Williams (1-25) had removed Pidgeon Barnt Green had left the Wardens reeling on 40-4.

However, Green's opponents rallied strongly, with Patel building a patient 58 before Kris Howes dismissed him.

Smyth (16) added some resistance, while Shantry (20) and Wilkinson (12) made sure that Kenilworth earned some late runs as they reached 156-8.

Clarke said: "It was never going to be enough to win the game but they had been in a lot more trouble before they rallied a bit."

The home side's batsmen also struggled early on as they went searching for runs.

Jordan dismissed Richard Hall for a duck.

Steve Williams (9) and Paul Bedford (8) were also removed cheaply as Green collapsed to 27-0.

However, Richard Wilkinson (32) steadied the order and was joined by Sillence (79 not out) at the crease.

Sillence, who has averaged 60 runs each match, has rescued Green throughout the season and once again he showed he was up for the fight with an impressive display of batting.

Once Wilkinson was removed, captain Richard Illingworth joined him and his 26 not out made sure Green sped away to 158 in the 50th over.

Clarke said: "The new ball gave both sides a few problems and we lost a few wickets early on.

"But in the end Kenilworth's total was never going to be enough."