BARNARDS Green skipper Dick Brown knew they needed maximum points, against bottom of the table Cookley, to keep in touch with leaders Lye.

BARNARDS GREEN II v COOKLEY II

So on winning the toss on a sunny afternoon he had no hesitation in batting first on a firm dry wicket.

The Green started badly losing Jez Clarke (7) and Bob Rogers without scoring, leaving them 20-2 off 3 overs. Derek Goodman (29) was joined by 17 year-old Paul Yorke (88) making his second team debut, and they took the score to 74, at which point Goodman was bowled by a full toss from off spinner Tutmen.

Out of form Kevin Ratcliffe (7) became Tutmen's second victim, when the bowler held a good diving catch. Dick Brown (25) and Yorke put together a 58 run partnership, before Brown edged Tutmen to slip. Ian Scullion failed to score and it was left to tailenders Denis Fallowfield (17) and Tim Price (14no) to support Yorke, who was the last man out as the innings closed on 202-8, Tutmen taking 5-71.

Cookley's innings started disastrously, losing M Williams to the first ball of the innings, Ian Scullion accepting an easy return catch.

Gary Fields (78) joined P Cartwright (10) and they put the hosts well on their way, as their partnership reached 98. Richard Brown then bowled the big hitting Fields, at which point Cookley's challenge began to fade.

Leg spinner Tom Bristow 5-56 off 18 overs caused mayhem as the home side were unable to play him with any confidence.

He was well supported by Scullion 2-28. Fallowfeld 1-30 and Brown 2-30 survived to the 48 over at which time Yorke caught M. Insull (5) off Bristow to leave the Green winners by 47 runs.

Barnards Green 24 points Cookley 5 points