ON a wet, miserable Sunday afternoon, Barnards Green 1st XI made a short visit to local rivals, Rushwick, to play a friendly 40 overs limited match.

RUSHWICK v BARNARDS GREEN

Having won the toss, Rushwick's skipper elected to bat on a reasonably dry wicket and in overcast conditions.

T Williams and M Pugh took on the attack of J Watson and Tim Williams who bowled a good pace and maintained a reasonable line and length. However, T Williams stuck it out well during the fall of wickets of his fellow team players.

A change of bowling strategy soon saw him fall for a good 42 off C Hill's variable bowling, who used the damp conditions to his advantage. Due to rain, play was stopped several times but, with both sides eager to make a game of it, Rushwick's batting proved to be moderate as M Peplow hit a strong 43 with support from S Blight who managed a 28.

They saw to the end of their reduced overs who were unbeaten. C Hill was the pick of the bowlers who took 3 wickets for 25 runs off 9 overs.

As the weather conditions continued to deteriorate, Barnards Green opening batters decided not to waste any time. J Clarke and R Williams played the ball all around the ground but in time J Clarke fell after a quiet innings of 37 to the bowling of P Williams.

This brought the former Rushwick player, K Golder, to the crease who rotated the strike well but not for long - he fell to Hughes.

Richard Williams was in good form as it showed when he was unbeaten on 45 and J Young was also unbeaten on 12.

Due to bad weather, the game was soon called off when the Green were just 40 runs short with 14 overs to spare.