Barnt Green 184-8 Shrewsbury 120 all out

SPINNER Matt Rawnsley produced a man of the match performance to get defending champions Barnt Green off to a winning start in the Birmingham and District League Premier Division on Saturday at Shrewsbury.

Rawnsley, who joined the club for a second time in the winter, took 4-47 as Green produced a solid start to their league campaign.

Former captain Lyndon Jones also produced a determined display by helping Green's batting order recover from a bad start, while Gareth Williams grabbed a four-wicket hall to skittle Shrewsbury.

Batting first Barnt Green had to recover from a minor collapse.

Matt Dallaway was dismissed by Antonio Mullins for two runs.

James Gale then had Stuart Shephard, making his Barnt Green debut in the league, removed lbw for seven runs.

Richard Hall was bowled by Mullins for 14 runs and Richard Wilkinson was run out.

Paul Bedford led Barnt Green's fight back with 19, before Gavin Shephard (30) and captain Simon Froggatt (22) kept the momentum going.

Lyndon Jones then hit 43 not out, while Adam Smith made 27 as Barnt Green rallied to a respectable 184-8 after 55 overs.

Shrewsbury openers Jack Shantry and Dylan Davies got them off to a strong start.

Gareth Williams (4-41) dismissed Shantry for 27, while Rawnsley had Davies caught by Dallaway for 17 runs.

Rawnsley dismissed Gale (2) and Mark Davies was adjudged lbw off Williams' delivery, as Shrewsbury began to wilt under the pressure.

Barnt Green were troubled by Mullins, who hit 34 not out, but the wickets tumbled around him to keep the visitors in control.

Fine bowling by Rawnsley and Williams dismissed Jon Anders for a duck.

Despite a late flourish of runs by Dan Manders (11) and Wayne Davies (20) Barnt Green saw them off to win the match and start the league in winning style.

Jones had Manders caught and Davies was removed lbw by Rawnsley to complete his four-wicket hall.

The spinner then wrapped up victory for Barnt Green when he caught Tom Somerville (0) off Jones' delivery.