BARNARDS Green Seconds began badly when Dick Brown lost the toss and had to bat on a damp track in this Worcestershire County League Division three match on Saturday.

HARBORNE II v BARNARDS GREEN II

With key players still en route from Worcestershire, he paired Rob Lewis with son Jon, and they made a steady 39 against the medium pace of Wilson and Jeffery.

Suddenly the Lewises met in mid-pitch, halfway through an unwise second run, and Jon departed for 20. Hacking continued the theme and ran himself out for one. Hancock, short of runs this year, battled cautiously and the two veterans accumulated four an over for an hour.

After drinks, Harborne broke the partnership by switching to spin, but at a high price, Montgomery's three overs cost 25 and Wood's three overs cost 54.

Rob Lewis pulled a long-hop to midwicket just three short of his century, and Hancock (36) chipped a return catch, but Wheeler smashed 71 in seven overs while Goodman (7) offered cheerful advice.

The Green heavy hitters were not finished, as Hill (20 no) and Glendinning (10 no) struck 30 from the last 3 overs. A peculiar feature of Hill's innings was its telephone-number sequence of 5644, with the initial 5 runs for hitting a fielder's helmet behind the keeper.

Facing 280, Harborne lost both openers to the inconsistent but dangerous Sam Spencer. Edmonds chopped on. James hit a violent six but his loose drive was splendidly caught low by Hancock in gully. Jones and Montgomery then built a useful right/left partnership, and skipper Brown saw the need for variety.

Hill replaced Spencer and struggled for a few overs to find a good line. Then he bowled Montgomery with a perfect breakback and had Jeffery well caught at slip by Brown, who had just persuaded Voss to lob a long hop to point. So at 107-5 Harborne settled for the draw. Brown rotated his attack but the pitch was now well-behaved and the ball was old. No further progress seemed likely.

But Wheeler again acted decisively, throwing down the stumps before Jones (76) could amble home. This run-out, the third unnecessary one in the game, led to more success. Hill persevered and just clipped Wilson's off bail.

Stu Fletcher, after a long luckless first spell, changed ends and bowled Arnold (14) and Georgeson. He beat the bat in the last over but Jones junior held his nerve and blocked for the draw.

The Green took unexpected bowling points and emerged not too downhearted after their sticky start. Solid efforts from Lewis and Hill, and above all the brief carnage of Wheeler's innings, were the highlights.

Barnards Green 279-6 (45 overs; R Lewis 97, A Wheeler 71; B Jones 2-15)

Harborne 162-9 (45 overs; B Jones 76; C Hill 3-28).

Match drawn.