SKIPPER Andy Sutton argued Barnt Green’s Bank Holiday blues would have been avoided had his first-choice team been available for Monday’s mauling at Ombersley.

The Cherry Hill outfit performed well with the bat in a high-scoring five-wicket defeat to Kidderminster, but an almost unrecognisable side then crashed to an eight-wicket reverse at Main Road.

Ed Pollock (84) and Matt Lamb (104) led Barnt Green to 275-7 on Saturday, but rival skipper Matt Pardoe walloped 116 off 104 balls and Neil Pinner waltzed to 87 as Kidderminster won with more eight overs to spare.

Captain Sutton’s 44 was in vain as Green were skittled for 99 on a Bank Holiday Monday to forget.

In reply, Ombersley eased to 102-2 inside 19 overs.

Sutton said: “The Kidderminster match was a good battle between two decent sides.

“The conditions played a part because bowling second, we had to use a wet ball for pretty much the whole innings.

“There were some great performances but we were just a bit short with the ball and having got a couple of early wickets, it was disappointing not to kick on. We got beaten by the better side.

“We were without nine first-team players at Ombersley so it was always going to be a struggle. The four lads who play professionally were missing and we had a few injuries to contend with as well.

“There were a lot of youngsters who worked hard but we ended up very short. It was frustrating but the absences put things beyond our control.

“With our top order available and our first-choice bowling attack, we would have been a pretty dangerous side.”

Barnt Green entertain Wolverhampton on Saturday (noon) with big-hitters Lamb, Pollock and Josh Poysden set to return and Sutton is keen to put to bed any lingering relegation fears.

“We probably need one more win out of the last three just to make sure of safety,” he added.

“Walmley would probably need to win their last three but I want to get it done properly.

“It has been a disappointing season and our main aim now is just to finish well.”