THE new Barnards Green Singles side (formerly Newland) made a very impressive debut for the new season easily overcoming Fladbury by 77 runs in this friendly fixture.

BARNARDS GREEN SINGLES v FLADBURY

In very familiar surroundings at Newland, skipper Steve Freeman won the toss and elected to bat.

The visiting bowlers were let down by the fielders as Freeman had life after life, in all the opener was put down six times before he had reached 20 runs. Chris Genever scored a stylish 11 before falling to Hyde with the score on 27, quickly followed by Beavon leaving the Green 37-2 off 15 overs.

Dave White strode to the wicket and quickly found his range and timing despatching anything short and full. He and Freeman added 70 runs in 12 overs as the Fladbury change bowlers failed to make better use of the track. White perished for a belligerent 38 in Wynndavies' first over. Freeman was now peppering the long off boundary and had reached 57 before falling to catch on the said boundary.

Darren Tolley and Richard Genever smashed 50 runs off the last six overs to post a very challenging 187. Tolley fell to the last ball of the innings for 34 whilst Genever remained unbeaten on 27.

The Fladbury reply was undone by some excellent bowling from the returning Richard Leech. He removed the first three batsmen with a masterly display of swing and seam. Martin took advantage of the close in field to damage Leech's figures but his 3-27 had the Green in the ascendancy. Steve Metcalfe took advantage of the conditions and was rewarded when Freeman took a wonderful slip catch to dismiss Martin for 20.

All Green bowlers were given an opportunity which Mike Genever grasped, his off spin put the skids under the Fladbury middle order, including Phipps for a patient 25, and his 2-19 off eight overs was fine reward for an excellent spell. Metcalfe bowled eight overs and he too claimed two wickets.

Freeman brought back Churchill and gave Spiers a trundle as well. Spiers quickly had Holyland but youngster Hodday took a shine to the bowling and belted 22 rapid runs.

Churchill had the final say with two wickets in an over. First White with a diving catch behind the stumps and then Mike Genever with a smart low pick up to see Fladbury 110 all out and the Green victors by 77 runs.

A close player vote saw Mike Genever just edge out Freeman for man of the match.