Dovey stars in Green win (From Malvern Gazette)

Dovey stars in Green win

12:30pm Monday 23rd July 2012 in Cricket

BARNARDS Green maintained their Birmingham and District Premier Cricket League Division Two title chase with a 24-point victory at lowly Fordhouses.

Andy Ford kept the Malvern side going with the bat with his 52 not out, including four fours, from the middle order in their 151-8.

Jon Dovey then stole the show with the ball and sealed a 30-run success by taking 6-23 from nine overs as Fordhouses were skittled for 121.

However, third-in-the-table Green have a massive task at North End Lane tomorrow (noon), weather permitting, when they host leaders Water Orton without five of their regular first XI.

Against Fordhouses, openers Adam Dovey and Mark Hooper both perished after scoring 14 before two quick wickets followed to leave Green on 61-4.

Phil Harris led the fightback alongside Ford and struck a six but was stumped on 25 and Jon Dovey (17) then produced a useful innings with the bat.

Chris Smedley and Ashlea Brewer made little impression before Thomas Poole (8no) helped Ford towards the final total from 50 overs.

The Wolverhampton club replied with opener Imran Qadir’s 59 holding the innings together before he too succumbed to the impressive Jon Dovey.

Otherwise, only skipper Russell Thompson (18) and Pirm Kalair (12) troubled the scorers.

Chris Smedley (2-16), Poole (1-12) and Harris (1-29) took the other wickets to fall alongside Jon Dovey’s haul of six. Green were easily beaten on the opening day of the season by Water Orton but hope to return to the top of the table this weekend.

However, they must do it without the likes of either Dovey, all-rounder Harris and Smedley.

Green’s thirds recorded a winning draw over Hanley Castle and Upton in Worcestershire League Division Four with opener Andrew Wheeler smashing 103.