BARNARDS Green championship aspirations nose-dived at North End Lane on Saturday, when they failed to bowl out lowly Eastnor.

BARNARDS GREEN 2ND XI v EASTNOR 2ND XI

On winning the toss skipper Dick Brown decided to bat first, on a wicket that was two paced due to the elements, some of which had seeped under the covers at one end.

Jez Clarke (0) and Derek Goodman (44) opened the Green's innings but lost Clarke in the first over bowled by A Barnes (2-73).

Chris Hill (109) joined Goodman and they put together a solid century partnership off 32 overs. Goodman went caught behind, also off Barnes. This brought in young Paul Yorke (49no) who again showed excellent promise, and along with Hill then added the second century partnership of the innings.

Hill reaching his well paced century in the 48th over before being caught at backward point off the reliable C Nield with four balls remaining. Barnards Green closed on 219-3.

Eastnor's reply started slowly against the pace attack of Denis Fallowfield and Ian Scullion, after 10 overs had crawled to 22-0.

Brown then turned to leg spinner Tom Bristow, and he had an immediate impact taking two wickets in his first over, but unfortunately for the Green that was to be his only success.

Off spinner Dick Brown came on at the other end and soon made an impression on the visitors taking five wickets, as Eastnor's victory challenge faded.

For the visitors only A Barnes (22) and A Greaves (23no) got in to the twenties, with the latter batting 16 overs with K Lancett (8no) to save the match for Eastnor who finished on 119-7.

Green 15 points, Eastnor 3 points.

Thanks to match sponsor Colin Phipps.