05/05/07 - Barnards Green

For the first game of the season we had a tricky test against a strong Barnards Green side where the toss was going to be crucial on a wicket that offered very little bounce and was tricky to bat on!!!!!Birlinghams innings got off to a bad start when Rob Drake (5) was brilliantly caught behind square the fielder  snapped it up much to the dismay of the "snake".This brought James (Yoda) Styles to the crease to join Gordon jenkins these two steadied the innings some what and put on a substantial partnership for the third wicket. Two quick wickets then fell with Gordo caught at mid wicket for (29) and Stylo edging behind for (24).
Dave (Snickers) Hill then got Birlingham back on track with a patient (23) alongside Olly (Greyhound) Ronan (23) Birlingham were eventually all out for 171 off 41 overs.
In reply Barnards Green got off to a good start and posted a quickfire 40 before the destruction began. Fensome (5-46) demolished the top order with some beautiful swing bowling whilst at the other end Willetts (4-33) kept it tight and got his just deserts when he mopped up the tail. James styles got the party started with two excellent catches and the whole team fielded very well as we skittled the green out for 127