TEENAGE cricketer Rufus Darke hit an unbeaten century as Burghill, Tillington & Weobley seconds stretched their advantage to 12 points at the summit of the Division Seven (South).
Rain prior to the start of the match, and two further rain delays, meant the match was reduced to a 34 over affair.
The Burgs won the toss and elected to bat, on another flat track at the PAF cricket ground.
Last week nearly 700 runs were scored in 70 overs and this week nearly 500 runs were scored in 68 overs, 298-6 from the home team.
Leading the way for the Burgs was 14-year-old Darke, with a stylish 123 not out off 82 balls.
He failed by one run to secure family bragging rights for highest score. His elder brother, Theo also has a top score of 123.
Captain Clive Chadhani said about young Darke: “He has elegance, balance and poise at the crease.
“Possesses quick hands and nimble feet and watches the ball intently, playing it very late.
“He is a glorious on driver, one of the hardest shots to play. He reminds me of Michael Vaughan.”
Dencil Das hit 51 from 31 balls and Will Priday 50 from 45 balls were in belligerent mood during their brief innings and assisted Darke to build a formidable score.
298 runs off 34 overs would take some getting, but nobody told Barnards Green opener Paul Drinkwater.
He went after the bowling from the outset and after 11 overs, Barnards Green were 75 without loss.
Man of the match Darke was brought into the attack to stem the flow of runs. After a couple of earlier lives, Drinkwater holed out to Renjith Ravi in the deep off the bowling of Rufus for 61, which included 9 fours and three maximums.
None of the other Barnards Green batsmen could score freely and after 34 overs the away team were 192-9, to give the Burgs a 110 run victory.
Will Priday finished with three wickets for four runs late in the game and Moncy Koshy 2-23.
The win consolidated Burghill’s position at the top of the table. They are on the road next week at bottom club, Birlingham.
Burghill, Tillington and Weobley firsts had a miserable day at Bewdley where they were beaten by nine wickets.
The Herefordshire visitors were put into bat and bowled out for 70 off 23.5 overs with Theodore Darke top scoring on 17.
Bewdley cruised to the target losing just one wicket on their way and running out clear victors.
In the Premier Division basement side Bromyard gave their survival hopes a boost with a close victory at home to Redditch.
Despite being bowled out for 116 the Herefordshire hosts hit back with the ball bowling Redditch out for 113 – three runs short of their target.
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