Green in league and cup double (From Malvern Gazette)

Green in league and cup double

4:43pm Thursday 2nd August 2007 in Cricket

BARNARDS GREEN v MALVERN

AFTER a semi-final delay due to the wet weather, Malvern's two leading sides finally met in this eagerly awaited Tansell Cup final.

Home skipper Jez Clarke won the toss and inserted the visiting side. With a side averaging 21 years, the Green hoped that their fielding would set the standard for the game and that it did, with opening bowlers Clack and Hoogstraten both making early break throughs clean bowling dangermen Bendall and Francis respectively. The Green fielders rallied round and gave the ever growing crowd a master class in catching and ground fielding.

The Green overseas star Hoogstraten was forced to leave the field after bowling just two overs, this bought a senior debut for 12th man 14-year-old Dan Metcalf, who slotted in superbly.

Brookes, Williams and Doughty all picked up wickets meaning no batsmen was allowed to settle, when Williams returned for the final over he dismissed Malvern's Ray Evans seeing them all out for 86.

Needing less than a run a ball Green's opening partnership of 17-year-old Paddock and Harris set about the total warily until Paddock was bowled by skipper Dovey without troubling the scorer.

This bought the ever in form Golder to the crease and he and Harris built the innings again and ticked along at the required rate. Harris survived several chances until finally being run out at the non-strikers end for a match-winning 42.

With six runs needed off the last over, new batsman Tim Clarke took two singles before he smashed a half volley through the encroached ring to see the Green home by eight wickets with Kev Golder 30no.

Green were presented with both the Tansell Cup and the Worcester Evening League trophy which they lift for the first time in its 40-year history.