BARNARDS Green first XI face two tough games on their first weekend of cricket at North End Lane.

The Malvern club host Stourbridge in the annual pre-season friendly from noon tomorrow.

The match is always a good test for both teams before the competitive cricket begins.

On Sunday, Green entertain Knowle and Dorridge in the first round of the ECB National T20 competition.

It will be a challenge for the home side as Knowle finished fifth in last year’s Birmingham and District League Premier Division.

There will be a competitive debut for Green’s two new signings, Josh Tongue and Nathan Newport.

Start of play will be 2pm, with the bar open from noon.

Tomorrow also sees a local derby, as a Green second and third XI host Malvern in a friendly at Newland.

The following weekend, all four Green teams start their league campaigns.

The firsts host Moseley in Division One (noon) and the seconds visit Dorridge in Division Two South (12.30pm).

The third and fourth XIs are hoping to continue their success from last season, when both teams were unbeaten and gained promotion.

Green thirds are at home to their Bromsgrove counterparts in Worcestershire League Division Four, while the fourths go to Cleobury Mortimer seconds in Division Four (both 1pm).

Off the field, the club have been busy preparing for the season and will welcome a string of new club sponsors.

They join the existing backers in helping the club to continue providing their facilities for seniors and juniors.

Two volunteers have received recognition for their hard work behind the scenes from the Midland Club Cricket Conference.

Robin Longmore received the WF Jones Award for consistent achievement and Kath Wood was awarded one of the four cricketers of the year accolades for administration.

Barnards Green colts resume outdoor practice sessions with under 13s training from next Wednesday from 6.30pm until 8pm.

Under 14s, 15s and 16s will train on Thursdays from 6.30pm until 8pm.

New players are welcome.

BARNARDS GREEN WEEKEND TEAMS

First XI friendly v Stourbridge (h), tomorrow 12.30pm, meet at Green 11.30am: G Rhodes, P Harris, A Brewer, A Ford, J McIntosh, J Tapper, J Tongue, J Dovey, E Hennessey, S Thompson, A Hepburn. Scorer: K Wood.

Friendly v Malvern (h), tomorrow 1pm, meet at Newland 12.15pm: J Clarke, J Dickenson, A Dickenson, W Dovey, D Metcalfe, K Golder, Z Marsh, B Alamutu, T Banks, D Humphries, S Hepburn. Scorer: C Hill.

First XI National t20 KO Cup v Knowle & Dorridge (h), Sunday 2pm, meet at Green 12.45pm: G Rhodes, P Harris, N Newport, A Ford, J Dovey, J Tongue, E Hennessey, T Banks, J McIntosh, J Dickenson, S Thompson. Scorer: W Tansell.