BARNARDS Green visited second-placed Belbroughton in a crunch WCL Division Three match on Saturday.

BELBROUGHTON v BARNARDS GREEN

On winning the toss Rich Williams put the home team into bat on an excellent batting surface. Dave Haywood immediately set about the Green's bowling with the exception of Ian Scullion who bowled an immaculate line and length in his opening spell of 1-20 off 11 overs.

Haywood survived a couple of chances on his way to an excellent century. Day also accelerated well to complete an unbeaten century.

Some excellent late hitting from Scriven enabled Belbroughton to reach 302-4 off their 50 overs.

Despite a below par bowling and fielding display the Green started their reply at great pace with Rich Williams (38) and Jez Clarke (11) reaching 37 off the first five overs.

However Clarke, Golder and Williams all fell reasonably quickly and when Drinkwater was adjudged leg before the Green had been pulled back to 87-4 after 19 overs.

Tim Clarke launched an attack on the Belbroughton bowlers, striking the ball very cleanly on his way to a quick fire 56.

The Green were now back in the run chase but when Clarke fell, followed shortly after by Hill and Hancock the draw seemed the best outcome.

The run rate was still in reach but the Green had lost too many wickets. T Williams (25) and Scullion (16no) saw the Green through for maximum batting points and a losing draw. The Green closed on 215-8 and seven points.

They can be pleased with their best batting performance of the season, but will be looking for a big improvement in their bowling and fielding tomorrow (Saturday) when they take on Highley at North End Lane.