RYAN Tongue surpassed 1,000 runs in Birmingham League Division One this season with a third consecutive century for Barnards Green.

The talented batsman’s successive tons have inspired Green to three straight victories and a 60-point haul which has seen them climb into the top five.

His latest contribution came on Monday when his 133 off 153 balls steered the Malvern side to a 32-run win at Leamington Spa.

Having scored 121 at Himley and then 116 against Bromsgrove last Saturday, Tongue arrived at the crease full of confidence.

He and Dannie Rees raced to 22 before Joe Midgley grabbed two wickets in two balls.

Rees was caught behind and then Will Dovey fell lbw.

Josh Haynes quickly got into his rhythm and put together a strong partnership with Tongue.

The pair put on 88 before Haynes (39) was caught off Nabeel Asghar.

With Phil Harris providing support, Tongue kicked on as he notched his ton before reaching his 1,000-run milestone for the season.

After a fifth-wicket stand of 68, Harris (21) was caught off Neil Smith before Ollie Swift (11) holed out and Jon Dovey went for a duck.

Tongue’s fine innings which featured 15 fours and a six came to an end when he was caught behind.

Midgley got the key wicket before seeing off Steve Thompson (4).

Ash Brewer (4) and Josh Dickenson (1) were left not out as Green closed on 249-9.

Harris then got the breakthrough as Alex Mellor (18) was caught behind.

Sulaiman Hussian (38) put on 69 with Wigley before going the same way as Mellor, with Tongue taking the wicket.

Josh Dickenson trapped Wigley (41) lbw before Jon Dovey removed Nathaniel Hooker (4) and Lee Hopkins (19).

Nick Couzens was then caught and bowled by Dickenson who also dismissed Asghar (18).

Leamington needed 100 off 16 overs with three wickets left.

But Green did not give an inch as Warner (12) was ran out by Rees and Haynes clean bowled Nick Payne for a duck.

Smith battled with 41 not out, but Harris finished the game as Midgley (13) was caught.

Green visit Moseley on Saturday (noon).

Tongue was the star of the show as Green beat local rivals Bromsgrove.

The opener scored 116 off 126 balls and with the help of Harris (68 not out) put the hosts in control as they totalled 301-5.

Tongue then chipped in with two wickets as Bromsgrove fell 73 runs short with Dickenson taking 3-50 and Andy Ford 3-40.

Playing in his last home game, Ford managed 17 before he was adjudged lbw.

Haynes then joined Tongue and hit a four to bring up the 100, but was clean bowled with the next delivery for 36.

Tongue reached his 50, but George Rhodes (40) could not capitalise on his good foundation as he was bowled.

Tongue brought up his ton which included 15 fours and three sixes before being stumped by Tom Hill.

Harris took 34 off the 48th over which featured five sixes and a four. His hard-hitting brought up the 250 and his own half century.

Bromsgrove responded well, though, as they raced to 71 before Ash Newfield (35) was stumped by Brewer off Rhodes.

Jayden Levitt (39) fell next, lbw to Tongue.

Alexei Kervezee (24) put on a 39-run stand with Ryan Pedley before becoming Tongue’s second lbw victim.

Lewis Cordes (9) was caught by Haynes off Dickenson and Jack Taylor (1) was clean bowled by Ford.

At 170-6, Bromsgrove needed 130 off 11 overs.

Pedley (50) was removed by a one-handed diving catch by Harris off Dickenson.

Evenson (1) gave Dickenson his third wicket with Brewer making the stumping before Ford struck twice.

Firstly James Ganderton was caught by Harris and Williams (17) holed out to Rhodes.

Hill (24) and George Marshall (10) were the not out batsmen as Bromsgrove finished 228-9 to give the Green the full 20 points.