HANLEY Castle & Upton's first and second XI matches against Harbourne in the Crusader Worcestershire County League Division Four was washed out last Saturday.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Hanley Castle & Upton first XI are at home to Himbleton with a reverse fixture for the second XI.

HANLEY CASTLE & UPTON COLTS U12s v

BARNARDS GREEN U12s

IN an exciting game of cricket these two old rivals renewed their friendship with Hanley's first game in the Worcestershire Colts U12 league.

The Green, captained by Harry Pleass, won the toss and put Hanley in.

There was early success for Pleass as he gained two wickets in his opening spell but the Hanley captain Barton Mathews (13) and Rob Graney (10) steadied the Hanley ship and gave the innings some impetus. At 36-2 Hanley's position looked more secure but a careless run out and some fine bowling by T Clack ripped the heart out of the inexperienced Hanley middle order. Daniel Moon (9) played a gutsy innings to rally the score towards the end and Hanley were relieved to close on 66 all out in the final over of their allotted 20. Pleass ending with an excellent five wicket haul for only eight runs.

With the Green now batting excitement grew as Cathal McTernan opened with a maiden and then Mathews struck a double blow by bowling S Merley and running out Pleass with a direct throw. However, the nerves that were jangling in the visitors' dressing room were calmed by some cool stroke play by C Campbell (14) and F Pearson (9). The Hanley bowlers still had more to give and when Pearson was caught and bowled by Seb Robinson and Campbell bowled by the returning Mathews again questions were asked of the Green players. These were ably answered by J Scullion (8no) and J Allison (6no) who showed experience above their years by guiding their team to victory off the first ball of the last over.

An excellent game played in terrific spirit by these two local teams.

Man of the Match for Hanley was Barton Mathews and for Barnards Green, Harry Pleass.