Jones signs off in style as Green cruise

Barnt Green wins by 35 runs

Cockspur Cup National

Club Knockout

UNDER strength Barnt Green progressed into the West Midlands final of the cup with a comfortable victory over Walsall on Sunday.

Green will take on Old Hill on June 26 away from home to decide who will progress into the competition's national stage.

Barnt Green went into the game missing a host of first team players, including captain Richard Illingworth, Worcestershire paceman David Wigley and Paul Bedford.

Worcestershire youth player Mirza Ahmed, aged 16, was thrown into the fray to bolster the bowling.

Former captain Lyndon Jones, who is off to New Zealand for the rest of the year, signed off for the club with an impressive 43 as Green's batsmen applied the pressure.

Steve Williams (26), James Samworth (27) and Simon Froggatt (37) kept the runs flowing, while Miles Illingworth guided his side to over the 200 run mark with 18 not out.

Gareth Williams also returned to form after a barren spell during the last two weeks by taking three wickets.

Miles Illingworth displayed his growing confidence by taking three wickets. Kris Howes and Ahmed also took wickets as Walsall fell 35 runs behind.

Captain Richard Illingworth said: "Considering that we were missing a lot of first team players it was an excellent result.

"We haven't lost a cup game all season and this result shows we have excellent depth in quality."

Green's opponents in the final regional match, Old Hill, were too strong for Shrewsbury, beating them by nine wickets.