Barnt Green 218-7 Kenilworth Wardens 190 all out

Barnt Green win by 28 runs

BATSMAN Matt Dallaway made an impact on his return from injury with a half century to help Barnt Green to a vital victory over newly promoted Kenilworth Wardens on Saturday.

Dallaway had missed all of Green's matches so far this season but showed little signs of rustiness as he struck 61.

However, captain Richard Illingworth's side were forced to battle all the way and only a late flurry of wickets gave them a victory which left Green top of the Birmingham and District League Premier Division.

Dallaway, back after an ankle injury had kept him out, formed an excellent partnership with fellow opener Richard Hall (54).

Bowler Shitansu Kotak, who also terrorised Green's batting order, finally ended Dallaway's innings.

Kotak also removed Roger Sillence (15), Paul Bedford (1), before Kieran Rees (37) got amongst the runs.

Steve Froggatt hit 23 and Illingworth chipped in with 16 runs, but the tail end failed to make an impact and they only reached 218-7.

Illingworth was full of praise for Dallaway.

He said: "It just shows how important Matt is to us.

"I would have liked one of the openers to go on and hit a century, but I am sure he and Richard will do that soon."

Bowler Gareth Williams maintained his fine form as he dismissed openers Bush (10) and Smyth (29).

Kotak (42) and Henderson (39) then made in-roads into Green's target, before Sillence and Lyndon Jones dismissed them.

The advantage swung towards the Wardens, as Pigeon (27) and Byng (23) kept the Warwickshire side's score ticking over.

Jones sparked a fight back as he dismissed Pigeon, while Illingworth removed Byng.

This sparked a collapse by Wardens, as the last three wickets fell for eight runs.

Jordan was ran out, while Jones removed Storey and Sillence bowled Rowe as Kenilworth collapsed to 190 all out.

Illingworth said: "At one point we looked like losing but then our bowlers raised their game and won us the match.

"The bowlers were under quite a bit of pressure and I was happy with the way they responded to it.

"They all raised their game and showed how good they can be."