HANLEY CASTLE & UPTON v BARNARDS GREEN III

BARNARDS Green travelled to Hanley Castle in the Worcestershire Cricket League Division Four South.

The Green were asked to bat on a wicket which looked like it would give help to the bowlers and they immediately lost in-form opener Paul Yorke to a smart catch in the gully off Hunabun.

Ratcliffe and Hill built the innings steadily passing 100 in the 22nd over, there was then a clatter of wickets as both were dismissed followed by the luckless Curtis. At 110-4 consolidation was provided by Beavan (23) and White (32) who with some good running and punishing the bad ball put together a stand of 50. Duckworth and Hunabun picked up wickets at the end as the Green closed on 198 all out.

In reply, Hanley started slowly against the accurate attack of Hill and Sanders, Hill picking up both openers and two further wickets in an excellent spell of bowling. Tom Clack repeatedly beat the bat and was unlucky not to pick up more than one wicket.

The Hanley batsmen continued to struggle as the drizzle fell and only S Foley (39) showed any resistance. The introduction of Simon Clarke (4-10) brought about a much-needed victory for the Green.