THEY left it late. Very late. But after a final over that will live long in the memory, Barnt Green CC First XI can look forward to the National Knockout final at Edgbaston.

But the semi-final clash at Guisborough last Sunday didn't get off to the best of starts for Lyndon Jones' side.

They batted first and were reduced to 4-2 from six overs in the face of some accurate bowling from ex-Wales seamer Dave Towse and Paul Goodchild.

Left hander Simon Froggatt (48) and all-rounder Gavin Haynes (26) turned the innings around patiently with an important partnership.

Jones came in and accumulated runs cleverly despite the loss of Froggatt.

He was joined by the experienced Illingworth (22) and they took the score up to 169-6 from 45 overs with Jones finishing on 42 not out.

Michael Hind made the early breakthrough and with Haynes proving miserly with the new ball, Guisborough struggled in the opening overs of their reply.

However, some brutal shots from Shaw got Guisborough's innings going. Barnt Green struggled to put any pressure on until Leo Moncrieffe dismissed the threatening Shaw and Dunn.

With the captain bowling an impressive spell of 2-20 from nine overs, the game swung Barnt Green's way again. Guisborugh needed 52 from the last six overs and then 30 off the last three.

David Towse then started striking the ball cleanly to the boundary off the bowling of both Haynes and Illingworth.

As the final over approached, the hosts needed seven runs from the last over with three wickets intact and danger man Towse facing Illingworth.

Two run outs, a dropped catch and two runs later it came down to three from the last two balls with one wicket standing.

Illingworth fired the ball in at full length, Towse tried to nail it to the boundary but missed and got bowled, provoking a mass pitch invasion from the travelling Barnt Green supporters.

And skipper Jones was quick to praise the fans who made the journey to North Yorkshire.

He said: "They were absolutely brilliant, there was a great atmosphere with the Guisborough crowd and they were a very gracious bunch. But for so many people from the club to make the long journey up there was fantastic."

l Barnt Green CC First XI consolidated their Birmingham premier division mid-table position with a winning draw at home to Halesowen.

Batting first, Lyndon Jones' side scrambled to 189-8 from 55 overs. In reply Halesowen looked good for the win with Worcestershire's Phil Weston and Kadeer Ali leading the way.

Some unwise shots, brought about by tight bowling from Richard Illingworth, enabled Barnt Green to go for the win. However, they could not shift Weston and the wily Richard Cox and Halesowen finished on 133-7 from 55 overs.

Chris Howes took 4-25 from eight overs.

Barnt Green receive 11 points and Halesowen get six.