Cricket
Green on top in draw

BARNT GREEN enjoyed the better of a Birmingham League Premier Division draw in a rain affected clash against title-chasing Berkswell at Cherry Hill Road on Saturday.

A delayed start reduced the match to 53 overs per side and Green elected to bat on winning the toss with James Ord (25) and Nathan Newport adding 38 before the former was caught behind off the bowling of Ed Rainsford in the 11th over.

Tom Burton added 20 before being caught at mid-off, while Newport (24) quickly followed as did Craig Crowe and Richard Wilkinson to leave the innings in disarray at 81 for 5 when rain caused an interruption at the end of the 34th over.

On the resumption former Warwickshire all-rounder Dougie Brown (43) and Ed Pollock (23) shared a partnership of 52, while Kieran Rees struck 20no which allowed Green to declare on 179 for 7 after 51 overs.

Babr Khan 4-41 and David Brignull 2-41 proved the most successful bowlers.

Facing a revised total of 139, in 33 overs, Berkswell made steady progress by scoring 36 for the first wicket in 11 overs before James Neale (22) edged to wicketkeeper Crowe.

Jack Cornick (29) and Tom Milnes kept the scoreboard ticking over until the former was caught behind.

Milnes (16) quickly followed five runs later but skipper Dominic Ostler (32no) and Phil Neale (23) added another 50 runs for the fourth wicket before the reply closed on 132 for 4. Richard Wilkinson returned 2-27.

Barnt Green visit Wolverhampton this Saturday.

BROMSGROVE maintained their Birmingham League Division One promotion bid by gaining the better of a draw in a rain affected clash against lowly Old Hill at St Godwalds Park.

The home side were inserted on losing the toss and recovered from losing two early wickets to post a healthy total of 204 for 9 in 51 overs.

Jayden Levitt (82) and opener Ashley Newdick (52) led the way, while Lewis Cordes added 20 with Nigel Davenport 4-57, Sebastian Soukup 2-33 and Dmitri Ratnayake 2-77 the leading wicket-takers.

Facing a revised target of 161 for a winning draw, Old Hill had reached 141 for eight, from 35 overs, when time was called.

Mike Hingley (26), Danny Cox (20) and Davenport (20no) top scored in the face of fine bowling from Newdick who enahnecd his claims to take the man of the match award by returning 3-15 from seven tidy overs. Mark Evenson offered support by claiming 2-42.

Bromsgrove, who are fifth in the table, face a crucial clash at third placed Walmley this Saturday.

Regional sport »