BARNARDS Green won the Worcester League's Carnival Cup with an eight-wicket victory over Stoke Prior.

After defeating Worcester in the semi-final, Barnards Gr-een played the final in the idyllic settings of Ombersley Cricket Club.

The two sides had already finished a league game this season with the scores tied so a hard-fought encounter was on the cards.

Barnards Green skipper Jez Clarke won the toss and asked Stoke to bat first.

Stoke started cautiously with former Barnards Green player Boult and the ever-dangerous Neil Fletcher (40) leading the way.

However, Boult's Kiwi compatriot Andrew Hoogstraten kept things tight from his end for the Green, ably assisted by Tom Clack.

Stoke were well positioned at 50-0 after five overs when Clarke introduced man-of-the-match Andy Roy Ford (3-15).

Ford's line was so tight, scoring was not easy and the batsmen were forced to try and score at the other end, where the experienced Tim Williams bowled equally as straight.

Williams picked up the wicket of Boult, clean-bowling him for 10.

In a bid to step up the run-rate, Fletcher was run out by Clarke with a direct hit while the batsman was yards out of his crease.

Green continued to bowl and field with superb discipline.

Brookes (3-16) replaced Williams and had immediate success as the Green took wickets at regular intervals.

No momentum was gained by Stoke at the end of their allotted 15 overs as they closed on 108-8.

With a relatively small total to chase and a large lightening-quick outfield, Green knew that sensible calling and running would see them home.

Young guns Liam Paddock and Harris started steadily until the latter was judged lbw without troubling the scorers.

This bought in-form Kevin Golder to the crease and he formed a solid second-wicket partnership with Paddock.

No risks were taken and between them they kept the scoreboard ticking over at just above the run rate.

Green were excellently poised at 90-1 off just nine overs when Golder fell in the deep for a patient 46.

A slightly nervous few balls were then kept out by Ford before he got his eye in and struck several well-timed blows over mid-wicket.

Green wrapped the game up with eight wickets in hand, with Paddock finishing on a classy 39.