BARNARDS Green Cricket Club recorded their first Birmingham League win of the season with a five run victory over Smethwick at North End Lane.
Having failed to perform with the bat on the opening day of the season at Oswestry, Green’s openers Adam Dovey and George Rhodes would have been keen to stamp their authority.
But after a steady start, with Rhodes taking his side past 50, Dovey was trapped Ibw for 18 before Alex Hepburn and Ford were dismissed.
Jamie Tapper was then given out stumped to leave the Green 79 for 4 with over 20 overs remaining in the innings.
Elliot Hennessy and Rhodes put together a decent partnership to take the hosts into three figures before they were both caught, while debutant Rishe Umasuthan was bowled to put Smethwick in firm control.
A quick-fire 40 from Kev Golder and Ash Brewer, which included two sixes, gave Green a glimmer of hope, but the visitors hit back to leave them 177 runs to chase.
With a modest total to defend Green knew they would have to take early scalps – and they did so as Umasuthan took three wickets before Jon Dovey followed suit to leave Smethwick 55 for 6.
Despite losing Anjum for 23, the Birmingham side continued to battle away as Naqaash Tahir and Mohammed Sheikh scored 50 in less than 13 overs.
Tapper broke the partnership when he had Sheikh well caught by Adam Dovey on the long on boundary for 45. Tahir continued to look dangerous as he and Crossgill took the total past 150 in the 38th over – leaving Smethwick just 27 runs needed in 12 overs.
Tahir dominated the strike protecting new batsmen Kuldeep Singh after Dwayne Crossgill was cleaned bowled by Dovey to take his side to the brink of victory.
But with the score on 171 – just 6 runs short of the win – he was brilliantly caught one-handed by Dovey at mid-on for 43 off Andy Ford.