BARNARDS Green secured their second successive divisional title with this hard-fought division four victory over Chainwire.

CHAINWIRE V BARNARDS GREEN III

Skipper Ratcliffe invited Chainwire to have first use of a very damp wicket but saw his bowlers struggle to make any impression on the opening pair.

Chainwire calmly built a substantial opening partnership of 70 runs until Hill induced an edge from Davies who departed for 34.

With the showers often rushing across the ground conditions under foot were not ideal and the ball became slippery as the Green's fielding lacked its normal snap.

Brown dismissed Tovey and a rising delivery drew blood from Stewart's mouth. This only inspired the batter to pummel the attack to all parts.

Thompson took a fine running catch to dismiss James for 45 but it was Stewart who was to plunder the bowlers. He was fortunate to survive an easy catch at mid-off and smashed 73 aided by Cadwallder (20) to post 209 runs.

Doughty and Yorke continued their impressive run-making season to give their side a solid start; both were circumspect but quick to capitalise on anything over pitched.

The dangerous Meese bowled an impeccable line and length and although wicketless his 12 overs went for 39.

With rain clouds now threatening and the Green behind the required rate, Yorke went for some very big shots and passed 50 yet again but after smashing two sixes he was undone by one that kept low and went for 65.

Doughty also passed 50 but was caught in the gully for 60 well-compiled runs.

R W Brown was just starting to find the boundary regularly until Will struck for third time seeing a brilliant close catch by Davies and when Curtis perished the Green still needed 56 runs off nine overs.

Chris Hill and Steve Freeman ensured that there would be no panic as they calmly rotated the strike and when Freeman perished, only 14 runs were needed, Hill continued to score freely and his 39no gave the Green the victory by five wickets and the league title once more.