Everybody is up for keeping Barnt Green in the Birmingham Premier, vows skipper - The Bromsgrove Standard

Everybody is up for keeping Barnt Green in the Birmingham Premier, vows skipper

Bromsgrove Editorial 9th Aug, 2018   0

SKIPPER Andrew Sutton remains fully confident Barnt Green have what it takes to avoid the drop from the Birmingham League Premier Division, declaring: “Everybody wants to keep us in the top division.”

The Cherry Hill Road side are second-from-bottom and have just seven games remaining to save themselves from relegation but Sutton believes staying positive is key to staying up.

The Green certainly have it all to play for but wins will feel even more precious as the win/lose format of the game returns on Saturday with a trip to Moseley.

“We have got Smethwick to come which will be very tough but all the rest of the matches are winnable, starting with this weekend’s game against Moseley,” Sutton told the Standard.




“It will be some celebration if we get out this hole we find ourselves in so it’s important we keep on fighting.

“There are guys who have been at the club for a long time and are very passionate about keeping this club here [the Birmingham Premier].


“We have to remain positive because a couple of wins can fire you right up the table.”

Green were beaten by five wickets by league leaders Berkswell on Saturday.

Hosts Green opted to bat after winning the toss but were quickly reduced to 44-4.

However, a fine innings from 17-year-old Jacques Banton (101) motored the scoreboard along and with cameos from Darrel Williams (43 not out) and Ryan Sidebottom, Green posted 241-9 from their allotted 55 overs.

Berkswell made steady progress in reply through Ateeq Javid (59 off 59 balls) and Daniel Chaundry (30).

Chris Whittock (32) and Nick James (75 off just 58 deliveries) continued to push Berkswell closer to their target before a sixth-wicket partnership between Daniel Clark (9 not out) and Ostler (9no) pushed the visitors to 244-5 inside 43 overs.

“We were happy with scoring over 230 because we felt it was a really competitive score.

“I was really proud of Jacques who got his first score over 50 so to get a maiden 100 was just a fantastic effort from him.

“We did not help ourselves in the field as we dropped a few catches but Berkswell are top for a reason.

“They have some quality players and Nick batted beautifully to guide them to the win.”

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