BELBROUGHTON II v BARNARDS GREEN II

STEVE Metcalfe took 5-12 off six overs but Barnards Green Seconds still lost to Bel-broughton by three wickets in Crusader Worcestershire County League Division One.

Green travelled to Belbroughton with an under strength team due to work commitments and withdrawals from the firsts and thirds.

The game was reduced to 38 overs a side and, after losing the toss, Green were asked to bat.

The opening partnership of Jason Brewer and James Scullion moved the score along to 18 before Brewer was caught for 15. Tim Clarke joined Scullion and the pair had taken the total to 61 when Scullion was caught for a patient 14.

Tom Clack was run out for 21 but the visitors still seemed well-placed at 113-3 after 23 overs.

Following a rain delay, Clarke fell to an exceptional catch for 61. His dismissal sparked a collapse and Green went from 123-4 to 145 all out.

John Raybould bowled 13 overs, taking 6-40.

Belbroughton's innings were shortened to 31 overs and after 13 overs the hosts were 38 without loss and struggling to keep up with the run rate.

Matt Brookes had the dangerous Andrew MacKenzie smartly caught by Clack and then had Hadley stumped by Graeme Glendenning. Metcalfe bowled Tom Raybould, leaving Belbroughton on 86-3 after 23 overs.

With Belbroughton needing 118 to secure the winning draw with eight overs remaining, Metcalfe bowled Pennington and Boardman for ducks and had Sam Floy stumped by Glendenning to reduce the hosts to 113-6 with four overs remaining.

Nicholas Ross then took the game by the scruff of the neck by smashing the ball to the leg side boundary on numerous occasions to help his team past the winning draw target.

He then hit 16 off the first four balls of the final over to finish unbeaten on 27 and secure a three-wicket victory.