CAPTAIN Andy Ford led from the front as Barnards Green Cricket Club won their T20 double.

They beat Tamworth by 42 runs to progress in the National T20, after reaching the Worcestershire Cup finals day with a last-eight 44-run success over Himley.

After a wash-out for Saturday’s Birmingham League games, hard work from groundsman Roy Mayo and the players enabled both T20 games to take place.

Against Premier Division Himley in the county quarter-finals, the visitors won the toss and chose to field.

Phil Harris (10) and Ash Brewer (0) departed quickly, before George Rhodes (10) and Ford took the Malvern side past 50 in the tenth over.

Mark Hardinges upped the run-rate and Ford hit three huge sixes, but hit one too many in the air and was caught for 42 off 28 balls.

Kev Golder (9) struck a six before being bowled, leaving Green on 96-5 with six overs left.

Hardinges (37) smashed two sixes before being bowled in the final over, with Elliot Hennessy (11 not out) and Rishe Umasuthan (5no) carrying Green to 140-7.

Green then bowled tightly through Hardinges and Ford, with the latter making the first breakthrough as Golder took a boundary catch.

Jon Dovey’s first ball forced an lbw and Himley slumped to 41-4 as Ford struck twice in successive overs, with wicketkeeper Brewer and Dovey claiming catches.

Dovey’s third over brought two wickets, including a Hardinges-inspired run-out.

Himley progressed to 70, before Jack Mackintosh made two breakthroughs with Brewer and Harris catching.

Mackintosh swooped again with a catch from Umasuthan, who mopped up the innings in the 19th over as Brewer held on again.

Green will visit Worcestershire’s ground for finals day on August 24.

Tamworth then visited North End Lane in the National T20, with Ford batting first after winning the toss.

Brewer (1) and Harris (8) fell early again, before Hardinges blasted a huge six before holing out for 17.

Ford (35) and Rhodes (36) scored 67 together with Hennessy, Tom Clack and Dovey taking Green to 126-7.

Tamworth, traditionally a strong batting side, were dismissed for 84 in the 17th over.

Hardinges made a double breakthrough with a Rhodes catch and an lbw decision before Harris struck and then Dovey took three wickets.

Ford claimed two victims through catches from Louis Loader and Hennessy. The victory was secured as Harris and Hardinges swooped.