SAM Smith was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets as Hale Barns first XI secured promotion to Cheshire County Cricket League Division Two with a six-wicket win against relegated Irby.

Games involving closest challengers Stockport Georgians and Disley were both abandoned due to the wet weather, meaning Barns were able to seal their fate with a game to spare.

Ben Hicks (2-24) and Dave Saddington have been a terrific partnership opening the bowling this season and they continued to produce the goods with two wickets apiece as Irby were restricted to 9-4.

Saddington (3-14) was typically economical, recording eight maidens from 12 overs and he was rewarded by claiming the fifth breakthrough to leave the score on 22-5.

Mike Vick and Dave Newman were the first and only pair to offer any sort of meaningful resistance as they added 38 until Smith was introduced to the attack and immediately removed Vick for 18.

Joe Fretwell-Walsh (1-16) got in on the act with a wicket but it was Smith who took centre stage with a further three dismissals, including Newman (22) as he finished with figures of 4-6 to bowl the hosts out for just 80.

However, Barns made hard work of the run chase as both openers were back in the pavilion inside four overs with just nine runs on the board.

Ben Staniforth hit 21 before becoming Rob Mallon’s (2-37) second victim, while the reliable Mike Hunter was out for 13 to put the visitors in a spot of bother at 51-4.

But John Purchese (19 not out) and Ollie Latter (16no) held their nerve to calmly steer Barns to the required target to cue the celebrations.