Barnt Green 124 all out West Bromwich Dartmouth 125-2

Barnt Green lost by eight wickets

DEFENDING champions Barnt Green slipped to their third loss in a row in the Birmingham and District League Premier Division as they failed to score enough runs against leaders West Bromwich Dartmouth on Saturday.

The holders suffered a batting collapse as any hopes of defending the title slipped out of the team's grasp.

Green have been suffering from a crisis of confidence with the bat but captain Simon Froggatt won the toss and decide to bat first in West Bromwich.

However, the champions never recovered from the loss of openers Richard Hall (11) and Nathan Newport (0).

Stuart Shephard fell foul of Naheem Sajjad on 16, but Richard WIlkinson (21) and Gavin Shephard rallied.

Wilkinson was dismissed by Sajjad and Shephard, who top scored with 38 for Green, was removed by Mooen Ali.

Apart from a late flurry of runs by Miraj Ahmed (12) and Gareth Williams (16) Green were bowled out for a meagre 124.

If Green had a chance of victory they needed to take an early wicket. Stuart Shephard caught opener Shukla (7) off Williams' delivery but Ali frustrated their efforts with 71 not out.

Spinner Matt Rawnsley, playing against his old side, removed Boroughs (21) but the bowlers could not stop West Bromwich from reaching 125-2 in the 17th over.