WITH the ending of the 'monsoon season' the Singles XI finally got their WCL Division Five season underway as they had the better of a drawn game against Belbroughton.

BARNARDS GREEN SINGLES v BELBROUGHTON

Skipper Freeman elected to bat and Leech and a more watchful Curtis saw the Singles off to a tremendous start. Leech hitting clean and straight soon had the new numbers on the scoreboard being changed regularly. It came as a surprise when Curtis (10) departed with the score on 52. Leech soon followed for a rapid 43 and the Singles consolidated.

The next four batters all got in and promptly got out as Belbroughton dragged the score back and at 145-6 the innings could have gone either way. Metcalfe and Spencer added 70 runs in five overs Spencer was in merciless form smashing six sixes in seven balls whilst a more sedate Metcalfe was caught on the boundary going for his third six for 25. Spencer continued to hit out and it took a superb catch on the boundary to dismiss him for 73.

The tail wagged with some lusty hitting as youngster Phil Harris (18) and Rich Brown (13) added 30 off the final three overs to leave the Green on a formidable 290.

The Belbroughton response was dramatic in the extreme, having 45 runs on the board after three overs. With the score on 95 in the 18th over the breakthrough came, just reward for an excellent spell by Brown (1-17), Leech had a case of 'dj vu' as the ball plummeted towards him, this time making no mistake and Ross went for 33.

Belbroughton had little difficulty in seeing out time, Dunn passed 50 and Jessop found the boundaries as the Singles closed around the bat.

Freeman introduced Brookes and the rewards were immediate. He knocked back Jessop's off stump for 45 and in the next over a revitalised Hooper removed Dunn for 55. It was Brookes who ripped the heart out of Belbroughton's batting taking three more quick wickets and the Singles scented an unlikely victory.

This hope was dashed as Broadman (13no) and Kings (14no) saw out the remaining ten overs without alarm. Brookes 4-31 was outstanding but the Singles had to settle for the winning draw and 14 points.