BARNARDS Green believe promotion to the Birmingham and District Cricket League Premier Division is a realistic possibility following a strong start to the season.

The North End Lane club sit fourth in the Division One table after two wins from five matches and are just two points behind Harborne, who they visit tomorrow (noon).

With second-placed Bromsgrove just one point better off, the battle for the promotion positions is already hotting up behind leaders Ombersley.

Green captain Andrew Ford, whose side’s match against Bromsgrove last Saturday was abandoned due to the rain, said: “It’s a very close league this year and at the moment a few clubs are lumped together so every game is going to be close and important at this stage.

“We have won a couple of good games and haven’t been firing on all cylinders so we have still got plenty left in the tank.

“At the start of the season there were a lot of sides with new signings so it was difficult to tell what our aims were.

“But now we realise that we can push to get promoted this year which would be remarkable.”

Green are set to be boosted by the return of former Gloucestershire all-rounder Mark Hardinges as well as Worcestershire academy duo, bowler Liam Smith and batsman Alex Milton.

“They add a lot to the team in both batting and bowling,” added Ford.

However, county batsman George Rhodes has a hip injury and is expected to be out until next weekend.

Meanwhile, Eastnor host Brewood tomorrow hoping to drag themselves off the bottom of Division Two (noon).

The Clenchers Mill Lane outfit have lost three times this season, all on the road, but their one victory came on home soil against Attock when they prevailed by 56 runs.

In Worcestershire League Division One, Colwall visit Evesham (1pm) looking to continue a fine start to the season that has seen the newly-promoted side rise to second in the table.

Along with leaders Pershore and third-placed Pedmore, they still boast an unbeaten record after five matches.

By contrast, Malvern are still searching for their first victory in Division Two and entertain Wormelow tomorrow (1pm) looking to break that duck.

Bromyard and Worcester Nomads are both on the road in Division One at Hagley and Droitwich respectively.