BARNT Green CC First XI climbed to third in the Birmingham and District Premier Division after a successful Bank Holiday weekend.

Despite losing the toss last Saturday and Monday, Lyndon Jones' men gained a profitable winning draw at home to Old Hill and a 24-point maximum away win at lowly Cannock.

A delighted captain said: "We really needed a couple of positive results to get us in striking distance of the top teams.

"Hall, Dallaway and Haynes have batted superbly so far and I hope they continue in this positive manner."

Last Saturday, openers Matt Dallaway and Richard Hall continued their fantastic early season form to put on a massive 190 runs for the first wicket.

Fresh from scoring 162 for Herefordshire the previous week, Hall fell just four runs short of a deserved century.

Vice-captain Dallaway grabbed his chance to notch three figures before going for 106. A late assault by Gavin Haynes (50 not out) saw Green end on a huge 284-5.

Old Hill never really looked like getting close, but frustrated Green's bowlers.

Half centuries from England U19s wicketkeeper Steve Davies and Riaz Sheikh ensured Old Hill ended on a respectable 163-8.

Green's top order continued their rich vein of form on Monday with another massive 270-4 declared from 53 overs.

The Cherry Hill side then needed only 43 overs to skittle the Staffordshire side for a paltry 97.

Hall made up for missing a ton by smashing an impressive 106, ably supported by Dallaway (37). Kieran Rees' exit for a first ball duck brought Haynes to the crease and he despatched lacklustre Cannock bowling all over the ground to finish on 100 not out before Jones called his team in.

In reply, Worcestershire's David Wigley posed problems before a hamstring niggle made him stop after six overs.

James Golding bowled a superb spell to notch 4-45 from 15 overs and off-spinner Jones finished with figures of 4-15 from ten overs.

l Green face bottom side Coventry and NW this Saturday and host Banbury in a tough National Knockout regional semi-final on Sunday.