West Bromwich Dartmouth 170 all out Barnt Green 141 all out

Barnt Green lost by 29 runs

BARNT Green CC's grip on the Birmingham and District League Premier Division title weakened as latest challenger West Brom beat them on Bank Holiday Monday.

Green suffered only their second defeat of their league campaign, and their first since May, after a determined bowling display by their opponents.

Gloucestershire all rounder Roger Sillence (4-40) and Richard Hall (3-50) were in excellent form with the ball as the leaders bowled their Black Country rivals out for 170.

However, the Cherry Hill Road side's batting order was no match for West Brom bowlers Matt Rawnsley (4-29) and Rob Fenton (4-44).

Green openers Hall (27) and Matt Dallaway (27) got off to a decent start, but were unable to record a big score.

Rawnsley dismissed Dallaway and Fenton had Hall caught to knock Green out of their stride.

The rest of Green's order failed to cope with West Brom's bowling attack, apart from Paul Bedworth hitting 26 before he was bowled lbw.

Kieron Rees battled to 14 until Rawnsley bowled him out, but Sillence (0), James Samworth (0), David Wigley (4) and Adam Smith (4) made no impact with the bat as Green were dismissed 29 runs short in the 53rd over.

Defeat means the pressure is on Green. After Monday their lead at the top of the table has been cut to 25 points.

They now have three matches to hold off in-form West Brom.

The leaders take on Himley at home on Saturday, September 3 (12.30pm start), before entertaining struggling Wellington a week after.

Green end their league fixtures with a trip to Halesowen on September 17.

West Brom go to Kenilworth on Saturday, and end the season against Leamington and Moseley.