BARNARDS Green entertained old rivals Belbroughton on Saturday with North End Lane looking absolutely immaculate thanks to groundsman Roy Mayo's hard work.

BARNARDS GREEN v BELBROUGHTON

In a match reduced to 46 overs, skipper Chris Smedley won the toss and asked the visitors to bat first on an equally good-looking track, untouched by the pre-match downpour.

Belbroughton's progress was steady with 85 runs coming off their first 25 overs. The Green's bowlers were not as disciplined as usual but, with excellent fielding throughout the innings, the home side managed to control the game.

Five Belbroughton batsmen made scores of 35 or more without making a 50 in a final total of 233-5. Veteran Ian Scullion was by far the Green's best bowler.

Gary Lewis got the Green's reply off to a good start by hitting the hapless Farmer (1-51 off 7 overs) over cover for six in his first over. The bowler momentarily had some respite and luck when Lewis inside-edged into his own stumps.

This brought the in-form Dan Flynn to the crease who plundered another sound unbeaten ton to see Barnards Green home with three overs to spare.

He was perfectly complimented by fluent innings from Rich Williams (52), Kev Golder (20) and Smedley (24no).

Tomorrow (Saturday) Barnards Green are away at Kidderminster.