THIS first meeting between Barnards Green and Astwood Bank in the Crusader Worcestershire County League division one saw Green's captain for the day, Tim Williams, win the toss and choose to bat.

ASTWOOD BANK v BARNARDS GREEN

Liam Paddock, called into the first team squad to open the innings with Kev Golder, were faced with some hostile quick bowling by overseas player Andy Lidiard, well supported by Ian Bowes.

The Green lost two early wickets Golder (8) and Paul Drinkwater (4) which meant Rob McCard found himself in to bat much sooner than normal, joining Paddock on (3no).

Together they set about stabilising the innings, taking the score steadily to 83 by the 25th over when Paddock was bowled by Ian Bowes for (27). An excellent debut performance.

The fall of this third wicket saw Tim Clarke enter the fray, joining Rob McCard now on 32no. Together they pushed the score up to 115 by the 31st over when Rob McCard (54) pushed once too often, and was out stumped.

Adam Binks was next in, and with Tim Clarke produced an excellent 50 partnership in quick-time before Clarke (38) was out, bowled by Lidiard in his second spell. Adam Binks made a rapid 20 and Phil Harris a three hit (14) as the remaining wickets fell regularly until Barnards Green's innings closed on 202, in the 48th over.

In reply, Astwood Bank got off to a slow start against the bowling of McCard, Williams and Bell, but they did not lose a wicket until the 30th over when A Clayton (75) was out caught Kev Golder off the bowling of Andy Ford, another young player on debut in the first team, whose excellent off spin-bowling kept a tight grip from one end. He returned figures of 12 overs, 31 runs for one wicket.

In the 38th over, with the Astwood score on 136-2, the Green captain elected to return to his opening pace attack. Although taking two wickets quickly, this move did not have the overall desired effect as Astwood's middle order batsmen, in turn, accelerated the scoring rate, taking them to a winning total of 203 by the 46th over. Scoring 66 runs off 48 balls.

Astwood Bank 20 points Barnards Green five points

Tomorrow (Saturday), Barnards Green are at home to Kington, starting at 1.30pm.