BARNARDS Green recorded a thrilling victory over a strong Chaddesley side at North End Lane on Sunday.

BARNARDS GREEN SUNDAY 1ST v CHADDESLEY CORBETT 1ST

New skipper Kevin Ratcliffe won the toss and elected to bat in what was scheduled as a 40 over contest. Despite the early loss of Andy Wheeler the Green made steady, if unspectacular progress, to reach 60-2 when rain intervened.

Following a lengthy delay, the game restarted but the home side now had a total of only 35 overs in which to get a target. Following Kev Golder's solid innings, Rich Williams led a good partnership with the dependable Martin Heaton. Williams raced from 38 to 50 in two shots off Boden before mistiming a return catch.

Heaton fell to Truswell leaving Ratcliffe and Tim Williams with the aid of an uppercut six off the pacey Kiwi, Blakeley, to take the Green to a respectable 156-6.

Tim William's opening over removed Fletcher and veteran Andy Lamb removed Boden with the help of a good catch from Ratcliffe. Former Green player Aussie Phil Divito and the aggressive Ted Bayliss then put an excellent partnership together which took Chaddesley to 95-2 in good time.

Rich Brown then induced a mis-timed drive to remove Bayliss and Paul Drinkwater was rewarded with the prized wicket of Divito for a well made 52, before Phil Spencer yorked Phil Bayliss.

Blakeley was joined by the prolific Kevin Truswell who with the run rate now up to 5.8 an over immediately took 14 off an over to put the visitors back in charge.

Skipper Ratcliffe brought on Williams who bowled Truswell and Spencer dismissed M Boden as Chaddesley needed six off the last four balls.

This came down to four from the last but Spencer's nerve held as Edwards could manage only two to leave the Green victors by one run!