Penkridge seen off in National T20

Despite some spirited batting from Penkridge on Sunday, it was Barnt Green who came away victorious and into the next round of the National T20.

Barnt Green captain Andy Sutton won the toss and elected to bat first on a pitch that looked like it would take spin later in the game. Openers Nathan Newport and Will Baker got the scoreboard ticking along nicely with some wonderful straight hitting, using the power play field restrictions to their advantage on a big ground at Cherry Hill.

Baker and Newport made 29 and 28 respectively to get Barnt Green off to a great start. Luke Radford (25) back in the side and Ed Pollock (17) picked up where they left off with some great hitting and fantastic running, putting the Penkridge fielders under pressure and showing how it's not all about 4s and 6s in T20 cricket. With lots of space in the outfield Andy Sutton (16 not out) with help from Tom Brown and Darrel Williams got the score up to a very competitive 152-6 on a pitch getting slower and tougher to score runs on quickly.

Penkridge made a great start attacking anything off line or length reaching 59 for 1 from 6 overs in the power play, but then the two leg spinners Josh Poysdon(1-21) and Darrel Williams (0-22) really tightened the screw and made it tough to score any easy runs. With some great fielding by the young athletic Barnt Green side the run rate kept climbing.

R Hassan (57) made a good fist of it but when he was spectacularly caught on the cover boundary by Radford the game was almost up. Radford (3-24) then ended his great day with some some superb death bowling with the aid of Tom Brown (2-15) helping finish off the lower order and wrapping up a convincing win by 23 runs.

Barnt Green face Birmingham league leaders West Bromwich Dartmouth in the next round this Sunday (15th June) at home.

Man Of The Match: Luke Radford for his 25 from 15 balls and 3-24 from 4 overs.