Skipper Brown upbeat after loss (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)

Skipper Brown upbeat after loss

8:00am Thursday 2nd August 2012 in Local

BARNT Green skipper Dougie Brown believes his side’s run to the Kingfisher Beer National Knockout Cup quarter-finals will only provide good experience.

The Cherry Hill Road side’s run in the competition came to an end on Sunday as they lost by 64 runs to Havant.

Despite being disappointed his side did reach the semi-finals, Brown felt the run will hold his team in good stead.

He said: “We had played really well up until this game but unfortunately we did not perform as we have done.

“That happens in cricket sometimes and you’ve got to put your hands up and say Havant were the better side and deserved to win.”

Barnt Green were not at their best on Sunday and Havant did their best to take advantage.

With Havant opting to bat first, Barnt Green made an ealy breakthrough as Nicholas Powell (4-34) dismissed Steven Dean (2).

And when Ben Walker became Powell’s next victim, the south coast side were 46-2 but a third wicket partnership of 78 between Peter Hopson (57) and Stuart Ransley (38) turned the game.

The partnership was broken when Ransley was bowled by Brown, but Christopher Morgan (29) and Jeremy Bulled (26) also hit runs as Havant made 220-9. But Barnt Green found themselves 4-1 when Jack Williams was bowled for one by Jeremy Ord.

Nathan Newport got the hosts back on track with 39 before he was caught by Steven Dorran off Ransley’s bowling.

Unfortunately, only Edward Pollock (25), Powell (27) and Alastair Pollock (11) got into double figures as Green were dismissed for 156 in 40 overs.

On the previous day, Barnt Green had got back on track in the Birmingham and District League Premier Division with a 32-run win over Brockhampton.

Tom Burton (66) and Richard Wilkinson (75) lead the way as Green recorded 233-9 in their 55 overs.

After a period of frustration, Green’s bowlers found their form in the league as the attack shared the wickets around.

Powell (3-27) and Andrew Sutton (3-23) led the way for Barnt Green as Brockhampton were dismissed for 209. Brown said: “We were in control from the start and I thought the bowlers did a great job.”

Green will be aiming to build on that win at home to second-placed Berkswell on Saturday (noon start).