EXHALL and Wixford booked their place in the last 32 of this summer's Wadworth 6X National Village Cham-pionship in emphatic style on Sunday, writes Mervyn Collins.

It was third time lucky for the Cotswold Leaguers after a couple of Leicestershire and Warwickshire group final defeats and there was little chance of more heartache after Exhall had rattled up an imposing 271-6 at Offchurch.

Despite the bat beating the ball frequently in the early stages, Exhall's top order maintained almost total monopoly against a poor bowling attack and a side that relied far too much on the all-round pedigree of Wayne Killian.

His early stint kept tabs on openers Chris Oscroft and Greg Bruner but once Killian had been seen off there was little else to trouble the visitors.

Fox removed Bruner in his first over after Oscroft had pulled his first delivery for 6. The bowler was later made to pay for his audacity as he conceded 73 runs in six overs, while left arm spinner Whitfield went for 63 off his nine-over allocation.

Oscroft and Simon Hollands added 107 for the second wicket before, after two escapes, the opener went for 58.

Skipper Hollands and Scott Carmichael then added 68 in just six overs before the latter fell to a stunning boundary catch.

Killian returned to stem the flow of runs and also clean bowl Hollands, who hit five 6s in his innings of 93, and then remove Mike Park next ball for a duck.

Tommy Hennighan produced a timely late cameo and he was undefeated with 32 against his name at the end of 40 overs.

Killian was the obvious danger after tea but, with six men posted on the edge from the first ball, Exhall were taking no chances.

The big-hitting left-hander did exactly the opposite and was almost run out before he chipped a simple catch to Steve Keen at mid-wicket off the immaculate John Park.

The target had been reduced by only 24 and, just seven runs later, three more Offchurch men were back in the pavilion.

The game was as good as over although opener David Kiernan was to prove an immovable object as he carried his bat for 80 not out.

The hosts did manage a respectable reply after slumping to 84-6. A seventh wickets stand of 69 between the obdurate Kiernan and Ian Anderson ensuring the club don't appear in the "hall of shame" detailing heaviest defeats.

The highest of which lists Much Marcle losing by a mammoth 362 runs to Canon Frome in 1980.

All the Exhall bowlers, Mike Park apart, enjoyed success with the ball in what turned out to be a one-sided contest with the winners producing an exceptional all-round display to win the group final for the first time.

They will have to wait to see who they will entertain on July 8 as Condover and Tibberton lock horns in the Shropshire, Staffordshire and West Midlands final this weekend.