Barnards Green II 174 all out, Berkswell 145 all out.

A MAKESHIFT Barnards Green seconds sealed a 29-run win over Berkswell in their last match of the season in the Birmingham and District League Division Three (Second XI).

Due to injuries, football and other commitments a makeshift team batted first upon winning the toss.

Returning from injury, regular first-teamer Adam Binks was bowled second ball of the innings.

After a brief stand of 30 with Elliot Hennessy, Jon Lewis (17) was also bowled by the impressive Ehsen Mohammed on his way to the figures of 7-58.

When skipper Cyril Dean was given out lbw off his first ball the Green were still hopeful when presented with a flat, even surface and the prospect of a large total.

The in-form Lewis Hooper arrived at the crease but Mohammed up-rooted his stumps first ball as well.

The Green then found themselves at 30-4.

Dick Brown fired to the boundary on several occasions with a range of cultured shots which included a beautiful flick off his legs for six.

With the run-rate becoming ever slower, Tom Clack played a series of fine drives to accelerate the total but then succumbed to the leg-spin of Sam Ostler.

When Elliot Hennessy finally fell for 41, it was left to Mark Perkins (30) and Georgia Hennessy (16), to grind the Green to a competitive total of 174.

The inability to bat the overs out gifted Berkswell a full 60 overs in which to reply and chase down the total but also gave an impressive Barnards Green attack more time to eliminate their opposition.

Brad Adams, opening the bowling, got the first break-through which was his only wicket to give him impressive figures of seven overs 1-14. Abdul Khan and Berkswell captain Matt Ginn looked like taking the game away from the Green, especially when Dean put down a simple chance at gully.

But Georgia Hennessy would have other ideas. She bowled well, eventually having Ginn caught behind by Binks.

With the Green now sensing an opening, Lewis Hooper came back on for his second spell and, with Clack showing true pace and accuracy from the other end, a Berkswell score of 114-3 became 129-8.

Clack ended with figures of 4-27 and with Hooper finishing on 3-57, the last wicket went down at 145.