BARNARDS Green suffered a promotion blow as hosts Moseley went top of Birmingham and District Premier Cricket League Division One with a 96-run success.

The Malvern side were dismissed for 136 in reply to 232 all out from 55 overs after losing the toss and being reduced to 0-3.

Spinners George Rhodes took 3-58 and Andy Ford 4-53 in Moseley’s innings, which was inspired by John Williams (66) and opener Aadam Din (56).

Josh Tongue (2-22) took wickets in consecutive balls after the Birmingham side scored 37 runs off the first six overs. Green reduced Moseley to 195-9 but the final pair put on 37 before a run-out off the last ball.

Skipper Rhodes, Alex Hepburn and Phil Harris all fell for ducks to Mark Adair as he took 4-12 and finished the job in the 39th over by dismissing last man Jon Dovey (17). Green dropped to sixth in the table, despite the efforts of Tongue (28) and Ash Brewer (29), ahead of tomorrow’s home game with Attock (noon).

But the North End Lane outfit reached the Birmingham League T20 Challenge Cup finals day at Bromsgrove a week on Sunday with a 61-run win over Old Hill. Green scored 149-8 through Andy Curtis’s 77 off 54 balls, including nine fours and three sixes, and Jamie Tapper (29).

Curtis then took 4-28 to help dismiss Hill for 88 in the 18th over with Tapper (2-9) and Jack Mackintosh (2-14) also chipping in.

Meanwhile, Worcester Nomads are 55 points behind Pershore at the top after losing to their Worcestershire League Division One title rivals by three wickets. The Bransford side had amassed 264-4 with Josh Haynes (145) and David White (56) making a second-wicket stand of 163.

Colwall hammered Bromyard by 10 wickets with Tom Coleman’s 6-29 helping dismiss their mid-table rivals for 182 before Ben Cooke hit 113 not out.

Division Two leaders Bredon remained 15 points clear after thrashing basement boys Malvern by 240 runs. Malvern scored 140 all out after winning their first match of the season against Lye the previous weekend.

Hanley Castle and Upton moved 28 points away from the Division Four drop zone after beating Harvington by four wickets. All-round hero Todd Mathews scored 67 not out and took 4-22.

West Malvern overcame Barnt Green thirds by 31 runs in Division Five with captain Steve Wright scoring 51 and Kevin Gilbert 56.