AN ASTONISHING eight-wicket haul from captain Phil Harris secured Barnards Green victory at bottom Wellington in Birmingham League Division One.

The Malvern club were bowled out for just 115 as they fell victim to the bowling of Jack Twigger (6-37) and Dan Lloyd (4-29).

But skipper Harris stepped up to the plate as he finished with stunning figures of 8-33 to skittle the hosts for 95.

With Wellington languishing at the foot of the table, this was a vital game for Green as they bid to beat the drop.

And they did not get off to the best of starts as Twigger removed Adam Wiffen (6), nicking one to keeper Charlie Mackleworth, and Mahaaz Ahmed who started confidently before being caught and bowled for 18.

When Twigger grabbed his third – having Mackintosh (10) caught by Lloyd at gully – Green were 43-3 in the 15th over.

Josh Blunt and Harris put on 28 before the latter holed out to Matty Simmonds on the deep mid-wicket boundary for 12.

Will Dovey and Jon Dovey both came and went lbw without scoring off Lloyd but Blunt and Ash Brewer then formed an important partnership.

Twigger returned to the attack with great effect as he had Brewer (16) caught by Sam Topper at mid-on.

Green passed 100 in the 32nd over but Twigger struck again when debutant Rob Wilson (7) edged a short ball to Mackleworth.

Another newcomer George White (2) was bowled to give Twigger his sixth wicket before Lloyd bagged his fourth (4-29) as Ben Brommage fell lbw.

This left Wellington needing 116 runs for victory but openers Sam Topper and Mackleworth never looked comfortable as it took until the fifth over for them to get off the mark.

Harris then struck in consecutive overs with both openers clean bowled for four. It was turning into the Harris show as he dismissed Lloyd (2) and Simmonds (15) to leave Wellington on 32-4.

Imran Arif joined captain Wendell Wagner and this pair looked to be key to the result of the game.

Blunt and Brommage kept it tight but it took the return of Harris to break the partnership when Wagner was caught by Brewer for 16.

Then followed back-to-back wicket maidens from Harris as Alex Taylor (0) was caught behind by a diving Brewer then the dangerous Arif fell lbw for 28.

Blunt clean bowled Owais Abdul for one before Harris had Jack Fishman (4) caught by Wiffen at first slip with the final ball of his superb spell.

Wellington’s innings came to an end 21 runs short of victory when Jon Dovey clean bowled Steve Brooks (1), leaving Twigger stranded 13 not out.

Green host Leamington Spa on Saturday (noon).

Meanwhile, Green’s second XI defeated Stratford upon Avon by eight wickets in Second Division South.

Monzur Ahmed took 5-39 and Ben Sutton 2-41 as Stratford were bowled out for 120 inside 40 overs before 73 not out from captain Andy Wheeler steered his side to victory at North End Lane.

Skipper Neil Morris also led by example for Green's third XI as he notched 108 in their win at Worcester who were dismissed for 87.