BARNARDS Green fell 24 runs short of victory over Ombersley last weekend in what turned out to be a losing draw for the hosts in the Birmingham & District Premier Division One.

Ollie Rogoff's 74 not-out and Josh Blunt's 40 almost took Green to victory, but in the end they could not manage to reach the total inside the allotted 55 overs and had to settle with eight points from the contest, whilst the visitors took home 15. 

Ombersley and Worcestershire CCC batter Taylor Cornall (65) and Nick Hammond (60) had put on 100 for the second wicket to put the visitors in the driving seat, but tight bowling and good fielding kept Green in it. George Rhodes was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 6-64 as Ombserley posted 226-9.

Green lost wickets at regular intervals in their reply as the top order failed to register much in terms of runs and at 95-6, it looked a tall order for Green to reach their target. 

But in came Rogoff and Blunt, who together put on 89 runs for the seventh-wicket to give hope that the home side could mount a late charge for victory. 

But when Blunt was dismissed for 40, that momentum was lost and despite Rogoff's valiant efforts, he could not find the runs in time to claim victory and so it was a losing draw for Green. 

The result leaves Green in seventh place in the league standings, with Ombersley one place above them in sixth. 

Elsewhere at Barnards Green, the 2XI maintained their spot at the top of Division 3 in the Worcestershire County League with their fourth win of the season.

Elliot Hennessy scored 55 not-out to help his side chase down Feckenham's 163 after Max Bentley (3-28) and Adam Witt (3-24) had taken three wickets apiece. 

The 3XI were heavily beaten at home to Harvington by 113 runs and the 4XI were also on the losing side after Droitwich Spa won by 37 runs.