BARTESTREE & Lugwardine's Andy Jones says he feels he has to prove himself as a batsman this season after going up the order.

Jones has been key to Bartestree's blistering start to life in Worcestershire County League Division 3 that has seen them reach the top of the summit after just four games.

He has posted 50 plus runs on three occasions already this season, with the latest being a knock of 64 against Cleobury Mortimer last Saturday.

"I have gone up the order a bit this season and am wicket-keeping as well," said Jones.

"I feel I have to prove myself a bit because I was an opening bowler last season.

"So now I'm not bowling, I had better get some runs with the bat.

"I have been playing with the club when it started in 1997 and used to open the batting through the youth ages.

"So I'm comfortable batting or bowling.

"I think I'm being a bit more patient and am waiting for the balls a bit more and using my head a bit."

Bartestree's success against Cleobury was also helped by Luke Sparrow's 73 that helped his team post 263-6 off their 50 overs. Sparrow also got a five-wicket haul that saw Cleobury bowled out for 186 to ensure Bartestree won by 77 runs.

"I've had a couple of starts, but have not really gone on, so 70 odd was a good score to get," said Sparrow.

"My aim is always to average at least 40.

"Matt and Marcus Ashcroft usually open the bowling, so we were a couple of bowlers light.

"We haven't had them much this season, so we've done well without them."

Bartestree captain Bin Simpkin said he was delighted with the win and thinks his team can earn back-to-back promotions.

"It was very good to get the 24 points help us along in the league," he said.

"Luke got a five-for, which really pulled us through.

"We've realised that wickets tend to come in batches.

"Teams can be rattling around at a decent rate, then all of a sudden, you've taken three or four wickets and it's back in your favour.

"The target is the same as with every season, win promotion.

"That is what we're here for, to win every game.

"If we can, we can, if we can't, we'll try again for next season."

After electing to bat after winning the toss, Bartestree made 34 before Kieran Smith was the first player to depart after he was caught off Luke Baldwin's delivery.

But Matthew Aubrey and Simpkin steadied the ship before Simpkin was clean bowled by Baldwin on 13.

Aubrey made a useful 48 before he was bowled by Ben Griffiths, which left Bartestree on 106-3.

Wilf Munn was the next to go on 13, again off Griffiths' delivery, before Sparrow and Jones took the game away from Cleobury.

Sparrow made his 73 off 75 balls, while Jones' 63 came off just 47.

When Sparrow as caught by Griffiths off Hall, Bartestree had made 249-5 before Jones was the last wicket to go in the same way.

Cleobury got off to the worst possible start when James Manley went for a duck off just the third ball.

Sam Evans and Griffiths then steadied the ship and were going on nicely before Evans was stumped by Jones off Sparrow.

Richard Harris was then trapped lbw by Sparrow soon afterwards to leave Cleobury on 59-3.

Captain Michael Green was next to go (caught Jack Trattell, bowled Jack Jones) before Sparrow got Hall lbw to claim his third wicket.

Oliver Green was Sparrow's fourth victim as he went for a duck and Griffiths went just one run shy of a half century.

When Harry Booton was bowled by Sparrow, Cleobury were 118-8 and the match was most certainly Bartestree's.

Oliver Rowland and Luke Baldwin did offer some resistance before Rowland was run out by Munn on 10.

Baldwin, batting at 10, carried on to make a fine 43 before he was caught by Thomas Ross off Strangwood to secure Bartestree the win.