BARNARDS Green paid for wayward bowling in a 17-run defeat at county rivals Bromsgrove in Birmingham and District Premier Cricket League Division One.

The two sides were unbeaten before the match with two successes, but Bromsgrove claimed their third win to top the table, leaving the Malvern visitors in third position.

Green host Wellington, who have one victory and two defeats from their first three fixtures, tomorrow (noon).

Bromsgrove won the toss in the Worcestershire derby and batted first, scoring 241-8 from 50 overs, helped by 31 wides from their opponents.

Ash Newfield (74) and Jayden Levitt (69) combined for a 120-run opening stand after starting aggressively.

Only Alex Hepburn (2-47) and spinner George Rhodes (2-28) took more than one wicket during the innings.

Tom Green added 18, Graeme Whiles 18 not out and Tom Underhill 12 after top-order batsmen Lewis Cordes and Adam Jones departed for ducks to skipper Rhodes.

The impressive Josh Tongue (1-43) bowled for Green for the first time, while Jamie Tapper (1-17) and Jack Mackintosh (1-15) also claimed wickets that eluded Jon Dovey (0-36) and Phil Harris (0-53).

In reply, Rhodes started cautiously with 37 runs as fellow opener Andy Curtis (19) and in-form Hepburn (12), with a controversial run-out, saw their innings cut short.

Harris (50) and Nathan Newport (51 off 51 balls) stepped in to take Green past 150 in the 40th over but had to quicken the pace, which proved their downfall.

Tapper contributed 21 and Elliot Hennessy 13 but Green needed 41 runs off the final three overs.

The North End Lane side finished short on 224-8 from 50 overs and could only claim six points to Bromsgrove’s 20. Whiles took 3-46 and James Ganderton 2-29.

Bromsgrove seconds had a 119-run win over Green in Division Two South after the hosts slumped to 105 all out.

But Green’s third XI are unbeaten in three Worcestershire League Division Four games after a 144-run victory over Halesowen thirds.

Skipper Jez Clarke was in the runs again with 65 and Duncan Cooper made 58 in Green’s 218 all out.

Halesowen were skittled out for just 74, with Chris Prosser (3-12) and Kev Golder (3-22) the pick of the bowlers.

The fourth XI saw progress but could not get the win in Division Four, losing to Halesowen by five wickets.

Harvey Smedley and Chris Murphy both scored 28, while Josh Dickenson grabbed his first senior wicket.