BARNARDS Green moved to within eight points of county mid-table rivals Bromsgrove by beating their hosts by five wickets.

Worcestershire’s George Rhodes took 3-66, Phil Harris 2-33 and Josh Blunt 2-34 as Bromsgrove were restricted to 208-9 from 55 overs after choosing to bat first.

Only a late 44 from wicketkeeper Tom Hill saved the St Godwalds Park hosts from a worse total in the Birmingham League Division One clash.

Adam Wiffen (54) and skipper Ryan Tongue (58) built a solid foundation in reply with a 105-run opening partnership.

Oli Swift (24), Rhodes (23) and Dannie Rees were all halted.

But Harris (21 not out) and Blunt (11no) saw the Malvern side home on 209-5 inside 52 overs to collect 24 points.

Seventh-placed Green host Shifnal, who are fourth, in the league on Saturday (noon).

Green seconds lost by three wickets to Dorridge at North End Lane in Division Two South.

The hosts were bowled out for 214 inside 50 overs despite 61 from opener James Styles and wicketkeeper George Blannin’s 50.

Matthew Saghabashi (5-49) and Steve Hooper (4-44) did the damage. Monzur Ahmed claimed 4-72 from 13.1 overs in reply and Jack Cullity 3-42 to get through the visitors’ batting.

But Dorridge won on 215-7 from 42.1 overs with opener Grant Harrison (43) top scoring.

Green head to Worcester side Old Elizabethans on Saturday (12.30pm).

Green thirds beat bottom-of-the-table Bromyard thirds by three wickets in a thrilling Worcestershire League Division Seven game at Newland.

Bromyard, asked to bat, scored 298-4 in 45 overs thanks to Sam Muirhead (132no) and Jeremy Leighton (103).

Ant Eyles took 2-43 in nine overs and Luke Haffield bowled maturely at the end, picking up a wicket.

In reply, Green opened with 73 through Max Middlebrooke (41) and Chris Hill (26).

Eyles smashed 111 off just 35 balls with 10 fours and 11 sixes.

He was well supported by Ollie Davies (41no) before Harrison Smith hit the winning runs with 10 overs left.

Green welcome Netherton thirds on Saturday (1pm).

The club’s first XI beat Handsworth by 61 runs in the Birmingham League Twenty20 Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

Opener Harris struck four fours and two sixes in his 50 with Jon Dovey (29) and Blunt (29no) weighing in during Green’s 154-5.

Handsworth were skittled for 93 thanks to Blunt (3-20), Tongue (2-13) and Blair Kingsland (2-21).

Green progress to finals day at Kenilworth on July 8.

But they also lost to Pershore by six wickets in the Gray’s County Cup quarter-finals.

Only Wiffen (10) got into double figures as the hosts were dismantled for 60 in 15.2 overs.

Stephen Miles claimed 3-14 and Taylor Pugh 3-9.

Pershore won in 11.3 overs with 61-4 despite 3-13 from Kingsland with opener Liam Ridings (21) top scoring.