BARNARDS GREEN II v WORCESTER II

BARNARDS Green entertained local rivals Worcester on very cold grey day with rain looking threatening for most of this Worcester County League match.

Green were put in and they lost their first wicket at 13 when James Scullion was well caught down the leg side by Robinson, Paul Drinkwater and Tim Clarke eased the score along to 54 before Drinkwater was caught in the covers for 21.

Mark Hopper, returning from injury, joined Clarke briefly until Clarke was bowled by Franklin for a stylish 40, Mark Hooper looked good considering his lack of match practice until he also was caught in the covers off another of Franklin's longhops. The in-form Metcalfe perished in the same way, top-edging another poor ball without troubling the scorer, Lewis Hooper and Spencer snr eased the score along to 129 when Hooper was bowled for 15 becoming Rich Franklin's fifth victim.

Matt Brookes joined his captain only to lose his partner to a poorly-judged charge down the wicket, having been deceived in the flight by the wily old campaigner Brian Clarke.

Then followed the biggest partnership of the innings between Matt Brookes and Scullion snr, they added 60 in 11 overs until Scullion was caught on the boundary for 15, leaving Brookes (47no) to boost the Green's total by smashing three sixes in the final over for 236-9.

Brookes top scored for the Green and Franklin took 5-41 for Worcester.

In reply, Robinson and Ohren added 49 for the first wicket until Scullion made the breakthrough bowling Ohren for 12 and having Robinson smartly caught in the slips by Metcalfe for 27, with the ball now swinging for Scullion he bowled Peppiat for seven, leaving Worcester on 63-3.

Franklin began to hit out, but when the ball was unable to be found by the Worcester search party, it appeared that the replacement ball would not react to the conditions and Scullion dangerous movement had been negated.

Lewis Hooper dismissed the dangerous Franklin for a well struck 37, and Scullion finished his spell with 3-33 off 13 overs, this left Worcester on 113-5 after 33 overs.

The Green were holding the upper hand but by dropping four catches they were unable to force the win. Metcalfe and Spencer jnr took further wickets to leave Worcester 215-8 at the end off their allotted overs.

For Worcester youngsters Brown (45),Waters (25) and Walters (28no) did a fine job in denying the Green maximum points.

The Green gained 15 points and Worcester 10.

Many thanks to match day sponsor David Whyman Map Sales.

Bank holiday Monday's away fixture against Astwood Bank was called off with out a ball being bowled.