BARNARDS Green boosted their hopes of retaining their Birmingham League Division One status with a six-wicket win over Bromsgrove.
A run of disappointing results had left the Malvern side just one place above the drop zone, but Green eased their relegation fears with a fine performance at North End Lane on Saturday.
Andrew Curtis’ century and Mark Hardinges’ innings of 88 helped Green chase down a target of 244 with more than five overs to spare.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Bromsgrove opening pair Ashley Newdick and Joe Dodd put on 67 before Dodd was run out for 15 after they collided in the middle of the pitch.
Jon Dovey (3-75) claimed his first scalp as he had Lewis Cordes caught by Aswhlea Brewer before Newdick was unluckily dismissed for 75 at the non-strikers end when Dovey deflected the ball onto the stumps.
Wickets then began to fall at regular intervals as only Jayden Levitt provided any real resistance with 54 before some late blows from Tom Green (25 not out) helped the hosts up to 243-8 off their 55 overs.
The Green reply saw Curtis and George Rhodes bat steadily in an opening stand of 40 before a change to spin reaped instant rewards for Bromsgrove.
James Ganderton first claimed the wicket of Rhodes who was caught at mid-on for 17 and just three balls later Alex Hepburn holed out to mid-off without scoring.
Alex Milton hit a breezy 28 but his dismissal left the visitors 85-3.
This brought Hardinges to the crease who then looked to score off every ball with Curtis as the pair combined fine boundaries with well-judged singles as they put pressure on a visibly dejected Bromsgrove.
Hardinges gradually accelerated and once he passed 50 he really opened up. He bought up the Green’s 100, 150 and 200 all with giant straight sixes as they moved smoothly to victory.
Curtis was eventually dismissed in the 49th over for a marvellous 104 – his maiden Birmingham League century.
Hardinges stroked his 10th four off the next ball to win the game as Green claimed 24 vital points.