BARNARDS Green survived a middle-order collapse to claim a losing draw at Tamworth in Birmingham League Division One.

Chasing 257, Green looked well placed at 147-2 thanks largely to Ryan Tongue who scored 91 runs off 96 balls.

However, after he was removed, wickets tumbled as the visitors found themselves on the brink of defeat at 192-9.

This left Stewart Hepburn and Ben Sutton needing to survive the last 4.5 overs to save the game.

Luckily a combination of good batting and predictable bowling meant the Green finished 198-9 to secure eight points.

In the first return fixture of the season, Tamworth skipper Ben Maddox won the toss and chose to bat. Callum Render and Josh Rudge set a solid foundation as Tamworth were 50 without loss after 11 overs.

Phil Harris made the first breakthrough when he trapped Render lbw for 30.

And he was involved in the next wicket too as he swooped in with a slick pick up and throw in the covers and a diving Ash Brewer took of the bails with Flower (6) out of his ground.

Tamworth became 104-3 next ball when Burrows was caught by George Rhodes off Ryan Tongue for a golden duck.

After taking the score past 150, Rudge’s fine innings of 92 came to an end when he was bowled by Dannie Rees.

Scott Daly brought up his 50 with a huge six as Tamworth looked like they were heading for a formidable total.

But Green showed determination and got themselves back in the game. Daly (57) was clean bowled by Josh Tongue and a direct hit run out from Hepburn took care of Joe McNulty (0) Josh Bowker (7) holed out to Ryan Tongue to give Phil Harris his second wicket before Josh Tongue cleaned up James Rudge (3) and James Gray (1) to finish with 3-52.

In reply, Green had reached 71 in the 17th over when the first wicket fell as Will Dovey (14) skied one from Daly to Render.

Josh White joined Tongue who punished any short or wide balls with boundaries as he brought up his half century with a six.

The duo kept on track and past 100, but their partnership of 60 was broken when White (14) was caught by Flower to give Daly his second wicket.

After hitting 16 fours and a six, Tongue was next to go as he was caught by James Rudge at square-leg.

Things got worse for Green with three wickets in three overs as Gray (4)was clean bowled, Rhodes (23) was stumped and Harris (8) was trapped lbw.

Back-to-back yorkers from Josh Bowkers then saw off Josh Tongue (12) and Brewer for a golden duck.

In Bowker’s next over Jack Cullity mistimed a hook and was caught by Flower in the slips also for a duck.

But Green managed to avoid defeat thanks to resilient battling from Hepburn and Sutton.

The Malvern side welcome bottom side Attock to North End Lane tomorrow (noon).