LIGHTNING has struck twice for Barnt Green Cricket Club.

For the second season running the Cherry Hill Road club's First XI has finished second in the Birmingham and District Premier League and won the Graham Williamson Trophy.

Last Saturday Lyndon Jones' men, beaten just five times in all competitions this season, defeated Knowle and Dorridge by one wicket to secure the runners-up spot in the league, seven points behind double champions Wellington.

They followed that up 24 hours later by successfully defending the trophy, exclusive to Birmingham League sides, by thrashing Wellington.

Victory against Wellington also brought the curtain down on a fine career for all-rounder Gavin Haynes, his 5-8 off eight overs marking his retirement from the game.

Captain Jones said: "It was a great effort. Everyone batted well and Gavin was just out of this world with the ball.

"We were really hungry for them and wanted to show to ourselves and to everyone else what a quality side we are. I think we proved that on Saturday and Sunday."

After lifting the trophy, Green were left to wonder what might have been after seeing their treble hopes crushed in a four-week spell in August, a losing run that ultimately cost them the title and dumped them out of the National Knockout semi-final when a repeat of 2002's final was on the cards.

"We lost our batting form at the wrong time just as we were making a real bid for an unprecedented treble," Jones said.

"However, we put those disappointments behind us and recovered well. It easily could've gone south badly but we re-focused and came back strongly at the end.

"A total of five losses in all three major competitions isn't a bad effort."

Green had a point to prove against Wellington.

They lost the toss and batted first, giving a good performance on an awkward surface and against a keen bowling attack to post 193-6 off a rain-adjusted 37 overs.

Richard Hall (37), Matt Dallaway (39), James Golding (46) and Haynes (36) all batted positively.

An unbelievable reply saw Wellington subside to 31-8 thanks largely to Haynes' 5-8 off eight overs and Golding's 3-14 off six overs.

Wellington eventually reached 72 before the last wicket fell.

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