THE Green 1st XI won their Worcestershire Cricket League division two game at Eastnor on Saturday and gained 24 points in a low scoring encounter.

EASTNOR v BARNARDS GREEN

Eastnor won the toss and with a damp wicket had no hesitation in putting the Green in to bat first.

Green made a poor start when Hitchings removed Kevin Golder (0) and then Richard Williams (7) cheaply before Martin Heaton (15) and Mark Tompkins (22) repaired the early damage, but it was always going to be a struggle on a wicket which obviously favoured the bowlers.

At 57-5, Jim Sandford joined the attack with his off-spin and was soon among the wickets with things looking very gloomy for the visitors at 74-8.

However, the tail once again scored some useful runs to get the Green to over the 100 with Tim Williams (13) and James Watson (12) taking the honours.

At close the Green were all out for 101 with Nick Hitchings, 3-30 off 20 overs, and Jim Sandford, 5-18 off 15 overs, doing the damage.

In reply, Eastnor lost Forty, in Clarke's first over, when he was adjudged lbw, but when Jim Sandford came to the wicket the score rose sharply and at 51-1 it looked all over for the Green.

The introduction of James Watson however proved to be the turning point of the game as he bowled with pace and aggression and with David Creese at the other end the home side had no answer.

When Sandford (36) was dismissed, caught by Young off the bowling of Creese, wickets tumbled at an alarming rate and from 51-1, Eastnor were then dismissed for just 65.

James Watson, 4-19 off six overs, and David Creese, 4-12 off six overs, doing the damage. Again the bowlers were well supported by some good fielding.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Barnards Green are at home to Feckenham.