BARNT Green CC remain second in the Birmingham and District Premier League following victory over last seasons’ champions Berkswell.
Having been asked to bat first, Barnt Green posted 207-8 off their 55 overs – a total built around Ben Chapman-Lilley who top scored with 80 off 148 balls.
Useful contributions from Dan Meredith (25) Rheedyi Amin (30) and Cameron Jones (24 not out) helped Barnt Green to a total that initially seemed under par.
However, four quick wickets from Andrew Sutton (3-11) and Jones (2-44) had Berkswell struggling at 33-4 and despite their star-studded lineup, Berkswell had no answer to the Barnt Green attack as Robbie Shurmer (4-39) helped bowl Berkswell out for 116 leaving Barnt Green victorious by 91 runs.
Barnt Green’s 2nd XI were also asked to bat first when they travelled to Worcester Nomads and at 52-6 it looked like they might fall to an early defeat – but Abdullah Tahir (55 not out) steered Barnt Green to 146-9 off their 50 overs.
That total proved to be too much for Worcester Nomads who were bowled out for 108 in reply – Fergus Roll the pick of the bowlers with 3-14 – the victory takes Barnt Green up to third in the Worcestershire County League Division 1 table.
Unfortunately, the club’s 3rd XI were unable to complete a clean sweep when they took on Astwood Bank.
Barnt Green struggled with the bat and were skittled for just 95 with only Sam Johnston (29 not out) making any contribution and Astwood Bank had no trouble in chasing this total down for the loss of just one wicket.
The following day, Barnt Green’s 1st XI travelled to local rivals Bromsgrove for the first round of the T20 National Knockout and came out on top in a tight game.
Bromsgrove batted first and Freddie Fallows (43), Deon Patel (31) and Henry Dwyer (35) helped post 152-7 off their 20 overs, with Henry Marshall taking 4-24 for Barnt Green.
In reply, Barnt Green lost an early wicket but were once again stabilised by Chapman-Lilley (50 not out) while the aggression came from the other end as Amrinder Brar (30 off 20 balls), Dom Harding (33 off 22 balls) and Dan Meredith (25 off 20 balls) fired Barnt Green through to the next round with an over to spare.
