BARNT Green skipper Andy Sutton is determined to see his side finish on a high note following a drab and disappointing August Bank Holiday weekend.

On Saturday, the Green suffered a four-wicket beating by defending champions West Bromwich Dartmouth.

Monday’s trip to champions elect Shrewsbury was even more miserable as they were beaten by a massive 113-run margin in a match that was reduced to a 20 overs thrash.

The contest with Dartmouth could have been so different had the Green held onto a catch offered by their skipper and opening bat Kadeer Ali when he had made just five.

It would have reduced Dartmouth to 28 for four – but instead Kadeer went onto share a partnership of 173 with overseas player Sarmad Bhatti, which effectively took the game away from the Green.

They overtook the Green’s total of 201 for seven with Kadeer making78, while Bhatti added 84.

Sutton said: “We came up a bit short. Had we scored another 20 to 30, it would have really put Dartmouth under pressure.”

Monday’s match with Shrewsbury was always going to be a difficult affair.

The league leaders were desperate to play and Sutton revealed: “Had it been a middle of the table match, we probably wouldn’t have even bothered turning up.

“I travelled up from Oxford for the game and it rained all the way until arriving in Shrewsbury. There was a lot of water on the pitch and we probably agreed to play on a wicket that wasn’t really up to Birm-ingham League standard.”

Shrewsbury duly smashed 166 for eight before removing Barnt Green for just 53 in reply.

Sutton admitted: “ We were very average to say the least and played some poor shots on a wicket that was doing quite a bit.

“However, we are now safe from relegation, but I don’t want the season to just fizzle out and I will be looking to win our remaining games at Ombersley this Saturday and then at home to Wolverhampton.

“I’m also aware our Seconds are in danger of relegation from Premier 2 so there might be a few changes with that in mind.”