BARNT Green Cricket Club First XI captain Lyndon Jones has criticised the standard of umpiring in his side's four-wicket defeat at Knowle and Dorridge on Bank Holiday Monday.

Jones was left frustrated after what Barnt Green claim was a seven-ball over, was allowed to stand and the seventh ball was hit for six.

The skipper said: "It was poor really and not what you'd expect at this standard. There's a grey area that should be addressed and all players ask for is consistency.

It could have been an away day treble for Green with that result after a two-wicket victory at Himley and a National knockout success at Wellington.

Jones added: "It's been a good weekend on the whole but it could have been brilliant."

Barnt Green were asked to bat first against Knowle and Dorridge and duly racked up an impresssive 261-6 off 55 overs.

Richard Hall continued his impressive early season form with 71 while Kieran Rees (48) and Clements (52) gave the innings a great start.

In reply, the introduction of Namibian World Cup star JP Burger made a huge difference. His innings of 72 changed the complexion of the match and the odds were in the host's favour.

But controversy hit the match with ten overs to go. An umpire signalled for a leg side wide despite none being given throughout the whole game. The extra ball then got hit for six.

To make matters worse for the visitors, the ball judged to be wide should never have been delivered as six balls had already been delivered in the over, something not picked up by officials.

Things looked over until Jones dismissed Burger with his second ball but the hosts only needed seven runs from the final over.

Hall's brilliant catch put Barnt Green in a good position, but great running by Dan Dalton ensured a last ball win.

On Sunday, last season's National Knockout runners-up reduced Wellington to 117 all out with Darren Key (3-20) and Leo Moncrieffe (2-11) the pick of the bowlers.

In reply, Barnt Green found little problem getting the runs with Hall (61), Dallaway (23) and Haynes (18 not out) leading the way inside 33 overs to reach the next round.

Last Saturday's game was reduced to 38 overs as Himley finished on 117-9.

Green started badly in reply with 17-year-old Rees getting caught behind on his second delivery.

Barry Clements (20), Hall (13) and Richard Wilkinson (19) chipped away at the total, but the introduction of Tim Heap (4-35) triggered a batting collapse although the visitors held on to win in the last over.