BARNT Green CC First XI are through to the National Knockout final for the first time in their history after a dramatic penultimate ball victory at Guisborough last Sunday.

Green, who reached the semi-finals in 1976 and again in 1991, booked their place against Saffron Walden at Edgbaston next month thanks to an inspired spell of bowling from Richard Illingworth.

The former Worcestershire and England bowler created chaos and took his only wicket in a final over which saw the North Yorkshire side lose their last three wickets.

Skipper Lyndon Jones was a relieved man and thought his team may have missed their opportunity to make it third time lucky at one point.

He said: "I am over the moon. I think it's safe to say that we keep it exciting. It was another mammoth occasion and another great game of cricket.

"I think we held our nerve very well with the bat to recover and set a decent total. We also held our nerve in the field, although I did think we might have blown it there towards the end.

"It was so unlucky for Guisborough, the game could have gone either way like the Bootle game (quarter-final) but I think we deserved it by playing good cricket all day."

And reaching Edgbaston on Thursday, September 5, has confirmed Jones' belief that his side are good enough to go all the way.

"I always felt we had players who could play," he said. "When we got to the latter stages of the regional stages we thought we could go far.

"We always thought we would do well but you don't believe it until it happens."

l Barnt Green's First XI secured a winning draw at home to Halesowen last Saturday.