BARNARDS Green gained their first Sunday victory of the season at home to Worcester CC at the weekend.

BARNARDS GREEN SUNDAY v WORCESTER SUNDAY

Batting on a dry wicket with some variable bounce, the Green were scoring runs quickly, 50 coming up in the 11th over. But with three wickets down J Curtis and P Drinkwater steadied the innings until Drinkwater was bowled for 11 by the last ball of South African Murray Ranger's spell, reaching the excellent figures of 8-4-13-3.

Curtis and Judd Doughty added 50 runs before Curtis was out for 42, then followed a mini collapse and the Green found themselves at 151-9 with ten overs to go. Matt Brookes (27) and Rich Brown (15) entertained the crowd with a variety of shots and took the total to 197.

In reply Worcester made a steady start against accurate bowling from Brookes and Brown. The introduction of New Zealander Danny Flynn and Phil Spencer in to the attack brought more tight bowling as Worcester fell behind the rate. Spencer tempted former Green player Kevin Golder into a rash shot and bowled him for 28. Flynn had the dangerous Binks stumped by Doughty for 45. Brian Bartlett bowled seven overs for just 18 runs and Paul Drinkwater picked up four wickets at the other end.

A good performance in the field saw Worcester fall well short.

WORCESTER II V BARNARDS GREEN II

GREEN Seconds took the short trip to Worcester on Sunday for a 40 over friendly, before the start of next week's league season.

Batting first, Worcester made a solid start through Chris Genever and Alan Levy despite some tight bowling from the experienced Andy Lamb and young Patrick Jelley. The introduction of Martin Heaton saw the demise of Levy and 13-year-old Liam Paddock was unfortunate not to have Genever caught at mid on. Paddock bowled a good line and length and picked up the wicket of Cook well caught by Wajzer at point. The introduction of Emily Price slowed the run rate down and she completely bamboozled Beeching for a smart stumping by John Wheeler to finish with 1-15 off her 6 overs.

Skipper Marc Jones then took leave of his senses and introduced Dick Brown to the attack, presumably in an effort to force a declaration and this so nearly worked as Dick was plundered to all parts of the ground for 35 off his four overs. Chris Genever ended on an excellent 85no as Worcester completed their innings on 186.

Roy Mayo and John Wheeler gave the Green a solid platform before Wheeler was bowled for 29, Martin Heaton made a patient 17. But as wickets fell regularly, it was left to Marek Wajzer to settle the middle order in a patient knock of 23. Dave Price then hit a rapid 23no, but this was all too late and the Green fell 25 runs short.