THE Green welcomed Martley to North End Lane as they finally got their Crusader Worcestershire County League Division Three season underway in what proved to be a hard fought encounter.

BARNARDS GREEN v MARTLEY

Rich Williams won the toss and chose to put Martley in to bat. The Green had a superb start with both openers falling leg before without scoring to T Williams and Doughty.

Hopkins and Grove consolidated but were unable to rapidly increase the scoring rate. Richards was introduced to the Green attack and soon had Grove bowled with a full length delivery. Kyte followed shortly afterwards, again leg before to Doughty. Dan Flynn bowled a very tight debut spell and picked up the wicket of Ganderton.

Hopkins continued in determined mood though and with support from the later batsmen managed to reach a fine century and remain undefeated on 102. Doughty finished with 3-60 in a final total of 207-6.

The Green set off at a quick pace in pursuit of the winning total but soon lost skipper Williams and Jez Clarke with the score on 31 after six overs. Rain interrupted play and the Green's overs were reduced to 44, with the total for a winning draw being 184.

After the resumption Tim Clarke looked in good touch before chasing a wide ball and edging to keeper Grove. This bought together Flynn and Drinkwater. The two left handers looked in very little trouble playing shots all around the wicket. Flynn reached 46 before being given out leg before to leave the Green on 112-3 and then Richards followed for a duck and Doughty soon afterwards for six to leave the Green at 146-6.

Drinkwater reached a fine 50 but was run out soon afterwards, to leave the Green on 160-7. T Williams and Curtis found the going tough with the light closing in but managed to guide the Green to a winning draw position of 188-7 at the close, just 19 runs short of victory. The Green claimed 13 points and lie in mid-table after two games.

Tomorrow (Saturday) the Green entertain old rivals Belbroughton at North End Lane in what could be an important game and will remain unchanged.