A CENTURY from George Rhodes was not enough to guide Barnards Green to a much-needed victory as they suffered a six-wicket defeat at Moseley on Saturday.
Green seemed to be in control as Rhodes and Andrew Curtis produced a superb opening stand of 124, but after a flurry of wickets they could only post 221-9.
The Birmingham outfit then comfortably reached their target with nine overs to spare.
The result sees Moseley, who claimed 24 points, leapfrog Barnards Green who now hover just one place above the Birmingham League Division One relegation zone.
Having won the toss and chosen to bat, captain Andy Ford would have been looking for a response from his players who had not tasted victory since May 31, and they appeared to have found it as openers Rhodes and Curtis hit the ground running.
Rhodes reached his 50 first off just 84 balls, with Curtis passing the half century mark moments later as the 100 partnership came in the 28th over.
Moseley’s bowling changed several times in search of a breakthrough which finally came when Curtis was stumped by Abdullah Awan for 62.
After Alex Hepburn fell for 27, Rhodes then watched on as three of his partners departed without scoring as Green slumped from 161-1 to 163-5.
Kev Golder and Ash Brewer also failed to reach double figures, while Liam Smith managed to stick around for Rhodes to make his ton before he was finally dismissed for exactly 100.
Tom Watts and Ali Awan both claimed four wickets to leave the hosts needing 222 to win and they looked to be easing towards the total, with Neville Talbot and Asim Shoaib battling solidly.
In a similar pattern to the first innings, the batting side had gone from 98-0 to 111-3 in four overs as Green hit back, but Moseley’s middle order proved to be the difference as they steered their side to victory.