Colwall 84 all out, Barnards Green 88-0.

BARNARDS Green earned the derby day spoils as they cruised to victory at Stowe Lane after Colwall were skittled out for 84 in their Crusader Worcestershire County League Division One clash.

After the start was put back due to rain, home skipper Mike King elected to bat.

Opening bowler Tim Williams led his charges onto the field in time for the delayed start at 2pm.

Williams and Nick Murphy started brightly, finding swing in the air and bounce from the pitch with the new ball and both registered early maiden overs with Liam Paddock and Harris electric in the field.

Nick Panniers, who has carried Colwall in recent games was first to go, caught Adam Binks off the bowling of Murphy for eight. Williams then got in on the act with a brace of wickets, Gareth Sharp bowled for a duck and King brilliantly caught and bowled for eight.

When Ben Wheeler fell for yet another single figure score to Australian import Murphy it was Gareth Bakewell who tried to restore some respectability to the score.

He fired several lusty blows, including a six off Chris Smedley.

Smedley toiled without luck as Bakewell was dropped twice off his bowling.

However, he gained his just rewards when Clarke took a sharp slip catch to dismiss Barrett Price and Ben Ford followed shortly after playing on to a Smedley delivery.

Bakewell finally holed out to Paddock off the bowling of Harris for 40 and two further scalps for him closed the innings on 84. Harris mopped up the tail with 3-9, Smedley returned 3-21 and Williams and Murphy picking up two wickets apiece in an excellent opening spell of bowling.

Even with a sporting wicket and the inevitable rain disruptions the visitors were delighted to wrap up the innings for such a low target, but approached the tea break with some trepidation as dark clouds gathered.

The Green’s regular opening pair of Kevin Golder and Williams strode to the wicket to see off the new ball threat and set a platform to allow a victory for the visitors.

Several extras, coupled with some crisp boundaries, got the Green off to a solid start and excellent running added to this total as David Smith bowled an economical, but non-threatening, spell of four overs for 14.

As the score reached 30-0, the weather started to close in and both Golder and Williams seized the initiative to propel the pursuit.

Golder was particularly harsh on Charles Griffiths who went at five-an-over and King, who had a day to forget with his three overs costing 28 as he drove, bludgeoned and pulled his way to 50no while Williams finished on 28.

The Green took a maximum 24 points from the game and propelled themselves to third in the table. Coombs Wood are tomorrow’s league opponents for Barnards Green (1.30pm) at North End Lane.

There will be a barbecue held after the match (from 7pm).

Barnards Green Seconds saw their clash with Droitwich washed out during Green’s reply.

Batting first, Droitwich made 220-5 and play was stopped with the Green’s Drinkwater out for 27 and Judd Doughty (18no) and Tim Clarke at the crease.