BARNARDS Green Cricket Club moved to the top of the Birmingham League First Division after George Rhodes led his side to a convincing victory over Moseley on Saturday.
Liam Smith, Mark Hardinges and Jonathan Dovey all claimed three wickets as they bowled the visitors out for 139 before Rhodes came to the fore.
The opening batsman. who was making his debut as captain, top scored with 46 as his side eased past a revised total of 115, with the loss of just two wickets.
The 20 point win lifted Green to the top of the table – a point clear of Ombersley who they face on Saturday.
After defeating Smethwick in an thrilling encounter last week, Green arrived at North End Lane in confident mood and it did not take long before the hosts got their first wicket on the board.
Neville Talbot mis-timed a pull shot, which was safely caught by Jamie Tapper at mid-off for 13. More wickets followed as Smith clean bowled Usman Shabir for five before Hardinges trapped both Kishen Patel (14) and Abdul Hafeez (2) lbw.
Ali Awan and Simon Chase steadied the ship, but when Awan nicked one behind to keeper Ash Brewer for 24 and Jono Watts was trapped in front soon after the writing appeared to be on the wall for Moseley as they were reduced to 72-6.
Recordo Gordon provided some resistance as he made 34 off 36 balls, which included two sixes, before Dovey claimed two of the final four wickets to leave Green needing 140 to win.
But Gordon failed to back up his performance with the bat as he went for 33 off his first three overs as Rhodes took advantage of some erratic bowling.
Despite losing Dovey for six, Green continued to look assured with the bat as Alex Hepburn joined Rhodes at the crease. Rhodes was dismissed by a fine yorker just four short of his half century before the rain came down once again.
But Green, who resumed on 105-2, took just one more over to finish the game as Hepburn hit two boundaries to end up 40 not out.