AN UNBEATEN century from Joe Crichard helped Barnards Green claim a winning draw against second-placed Harborne at a damp North End Lane.

Crichard scored 15 fours and two sixes on his way to 112 and his 126-run partnership with George Rhodes (63) saw Green post 262-4.

But Harborne denied the Malvern side victory as they finished on 172-6 from their 51 overs in the Birmingham League Premier Division Two clash.

With Harborne opting to bowl first it was not easy for openers Rhodes and Ryan Tongue as Green reached just 22 in 11 overs.

Tongue (2) was caught behind before Mahaz Ahmed fell for 10 to leave Green on 33-2.

Crichard hit three boundaries early in his innings including a cover drive to bring up his 50 in the 20th over.

The run rate continued to build as the score passed 100 and Crichard and Rhodes brought up their half centuries.

Their stand was broken in the 41st over when Rhodes was caught by Suraj Kumar at backward square leg off Swapnil Gugale.

Josh Tongue joined Crichard and began in aggressive style with two sixes in his first five balls faced. His destructive batting brought up their 50 partnership in just 38 balls, hitting a four through mid-on to take Green to 200 and a magnificent six to bring up a 21-ball half century.

Not to be outdone Crichard struck 15 off the 48th over before Tongue tried one big shot too many and was bowled for 53.

Andy Ford came in and sensibly gave Crichard the strike which enabled him to complete his maiden century for the Green off 102 balls.

Set a victory target of 263, Harborne hit 18 off the first four overs but both openers were soon sent back in the pavilion.

Gugale (23) went lbw to Jon Dovey and Guriq Randhawa (5) was trapped by Phil Harris.

After steadying the ship James Hunt was next out for 17, caught by Dovey off Harris. When Karan Bharaj holed out to Harris off Rhodes Harborne were faltering on 82-4 in the 27th over.

But the required run rate continued to climb with Suraj Kumar and Tom Payne at the crease.

Josh Tongue returned to the attack with a vengeance trapping Kumar lbw for 28.

Ryan Tongue rotated the bowlers in attempt to unsettle the batsmen and it worked with Mahaz Ahmed clean bowling Ben Langdell (2) in his first over.

Payne and Dan Wright played sensibly and hit a number of boundaries at the end to secure a draw for Harborne.

Green who climbed one place to fifth visit Bridgnorth on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Green progressed to the next round of the Grays County Cup courtesy of a 39-run win over Stourport.

After being put into bat Ryan Tongue (87) and Phil Harris (60) put on 150 for the first wicket as Green accumulated 169-3. In reply the hosts reached 130-6.