Barnards Green II V Romsley

GREEN were indebted to their youngsters for digging them out of a hole against lowly Romsley on Saturday.

Opting to bat first on a good-looking strip, Jon Lewis and Glendenning put on 41 in six overs before the latter skied a top-edge and departed for 23.

The Green looked forward to a large total against a struggling side but a succession of poor and over-confident shots were the undoing of Wheeler, Thompson, Bell and Spencer, all barely troubling the scorer.

When Lewis was bowled for 36, the home side were 91-6 and not for the first time in recent seasons, the youngsters had to show the way.

Lewis Hooper (51) hit his maiden half-century for the seconds in a mature innings, defending stoutly and punishing the bad balls.

It was then left to the two under-15s, James Scullion (43no) and Tom Clack (26no), to reach a respectable total. Their 60 for the ninth wicket left the home side on 240-8.

Duncan Bell soon had the visitors in trouble, clean-bowling the first three batsmen for 16-3.

Stout defending, with the occasional aerial shot, saw Rodell post 28, Jadeyel 35 and Rizerman 26 and the Green bowlers had to work hard for further wickets.

Shane Thompson took a fine catch and also his first wicket in adult cricket but largely it was one of those days when nothing went to hand. Romsley ended on 184-8, 15 points for Green, eight for the visitors.