THE opening weekend of the cricket season brought a clean sweep of wins for Barnards Green.

In their first competitive game of the campaign, a young Green XI took on league rivals Ombersley in the National Twenty20.

Ombersley were pegged back by tight bowling from all, reaching only 103 in their 20 overs.

The Malvern club made light work of the reply, reaching the total with over five overs to spare.

George Rhodes (31) and Ash Brewer (39) put on 70 runs for the first wicket before Alex Milton and captain Andy Ford finished the job.

Then Green take part in the inaugural Worcestershire Cup at home to Bewdley.

Mark Hardinges took a wicket with the first ball of the innings, shattering the stumps, and went on to to claim 4-18.

New addition Jamie Tapper chipped in with 2- 9 in an impressive spell as Bewdley reached 103-8, including Rob Coombes’ 41.

A good knock from Rhodes (36) started the innings off well but Milton’s 49 not out proved the highlight as the total was passed in the 16th over with four wickets down.

Meanwhile, a mixed second and third Green XI, captained by Jez Clarke, enjoyed a comfortable win over Dymock.

Four players reached half-centuries in Kev Golder, Georgia Hennessy, James Scullion and Stewart Hepburn during the impressive total of 272.

Dymock were bowled out well short in a fruitless chase.

Green hope their 80th season continues in this vein.

They will celebrate the important milestone throughout the year, including a game against the Midland Cricket Combination on Tuesday, August 12.

Green are also holding their annual six-a-side competition on Sunday, May 25.

They are looking for local sports teams to enter a side and anyone interested is asked to e-mail bgcccommunications@gmail.com WEEKEND TEAMS Green firsts v Oswestry (a, meet at Green 8.35am): Ford, J Dovey, Rhodes, Brewer, A Dovey, Williams, M Hooper, E Hennessy, Tapper, McIntosh, Hepburn.

Seconds v Astwood Bank (h, meet at Green 11.15am): L Hooper, Scullion, Clarke, Marsh, Brookes, Doughty, Wilson, G Hennessy, Dickenson, Thompson, Ahmed.