BARNT Green skipper Andy Sutton has told his players they must learn quickly from last Saturday's seven wicket defeat to Ombersley in the Birmingham League Premier.

That was after the Green had been bowled out for 104 having been inserted to bat on a pitch that was little short of a seam bowler's paradise.

Sutton said: "I told our young seam bowlers before the game that they'd never get a better pitch to play on. The ball swung, seamed or stuck in the pitch throughout the day and all they had to do was put it in the right place.

"Without doubt, I would have put Ombersley into bat had I won the toss.

"The ball was nibbling about all game and I thought from the start that 120 to 130 would be a decent score.

"It didn't help that when we started batting, it was a 40 overs game - but then it got reduced to 30 following an interruption through rain.

"As a result, the Duckworth Lewis system wasn't very kind to us and Ombersley only needed to get 108 when they replied.

"Some of our shot selection also left something to be desired - but I don't mind the players making mistakes providing they learn from them.

"Ombersley have a few wily old foxes in their bowling attack with ex Worcestershire players Gareth Andrew , Matthew Rawnsley and Ed Bayliss who exploited the conditions to the full.

"However, we had the same opportunities and we can't keep making excuses."

Only teenage opener Jamie Harrison with 21 and Warwickshire's Matt Lamb on 20 made any impression with the bat for Barnt Green as Neil Slade with three for 17 and Matthew Rawnsley two for 10 kept a tight rein on the innings.

Then Ombersley's Herefordshire Minor Counties opening bat Liam Gwynne made light of the conditions with a quickfire 48 not out off 55 balls as his side cruised to 108 for three in reply from just 21.3 overs.

Barnt Green have a huge game on their hands this Saturday when they entertain defending champions Berkswell at Cherry Hill Road (noon).

With no county matches taking place and the game coinciding with half term, both sides should be close to full strength.

Berkswell are likely to include former England star Darren Maddy together with promising Warwickshire strike bowler Grant Thornton while the Green's ranks will be boosted by the return of Ed Pollock and Ben Ladd-Gibbon from university duties plus England under-19 player Tom Banton and Warwickshire leg spinner Josh Poysden.