GEORGE Rhodes’s four-wicket haul and a resilient batting display from Oli Swift were not enough to stop Barnards Green crashing to a disappointing home defeat.

With Walmley scrapping it out towards the bottom of Birmingham League Division One, Green would have been hopeful of securing maximum points.

But the Malvern side, who were asked to bat, found themselves under pressure as openers Andy Ford and Ryan Tongue both fell cheaply.

Josh Haynes scored 35 and Rhodes 25, but Green were reduced to 121-7. Swift refused to give in, though, finishing unbeaten on 77 as his team recovered to post 209-9.

Walmley were then on the back foot on 48-3 as Rhodes (4-57) took two early wickets.

But a fourth-wicket stand between Iandev Chauhan (65) and Michael Waugh proved decisive. Waugh was 76 not out as Walmley reached their victory target with three wickets to spare.

Green visit Himley on Saturday (noon).