BARNARDS Green thirds inflicted a heavy defeat on one of their nearest challengers with this 154-run victory, thanks to an explosive 32-ball 74 from Lee Hooper and a fine all-round team performance.

BARNARDS GREEN II v HIGHLEY

The Green were asked to make first use of an excellent track and with undisciplined bowling Doughty and Yorke set about scoring big runs. Doughty pulled and drove magnificently and reached his 50 with the score on 89 from 15 overs. He was run-out next over.

Yorke played some superb thumping drives to keep the scoreboard ticking but the Green lost two quick wickets to Webster (2-24). Freeman (26) and Yorke consolidated the innings and added 65 runs in ten overs until Yorke was out for 83 with the score on 171 with ten overs remaining.

Lee Hooper immediately set about the bowling. Freeman fell but Metcalfe and Hooper smashed the ball to all parts, Hooper hit seven 6s and six 4s. Metcalfe went for 23 but Hooper continued and was out in the final over for 74 off just 32 balls and the Green posted an imposing 298.

Highley crawled to 40 off 15 overs. Clarke replaced Hill and quickly removed Humphries; Walford smashed a rapid 15 but then holed out. Steele remained vigilant as the middle order tried to up the rate. Curtis (2-28) came on and achieved the required breakthroughs with two well-judged Clarke catches. Doughty then got the important wicket of Steele (35) in the 35th over.

Ratcliffe introduced Brown (4-14), who was quickly into the wickets including a stunning caught and bowled. With the last pair at the wicket and only two overs remaining, Hill induced Boyce into a false shot and Metcalfe took the catch to leave the Green victorious by 154 runs.