JOE Cooper scored a spectacular century as Hale Barns' first XI successfully chased a target of 236 to record an historic three-wicket win against Barnton in Cheshire Cricket League Division One.

Hashir Dafedar proved his class with 80 as the duo produced a partnership of 138 for the third wicket to steer the hosts to an unlikely victory.

Barns started positively when Ben Hicks (1-48) claimed a dismissal in the first over to reduce Barnton to 6-1.

But that joy was short-lived as Callum Doyle and Adam Garrod played freely from the off to put the visitors in the driving seat, adding 110 runs.

Both batsmen eased to half centuries until Dafedar (2-50) finally removed Doyle for 51, before sending another back to the pavilion in the same over with the score on 116-3 from 21 overs.

Callum Schora (2-39) then got in on the act with two wickets of his own, including top-scorer Garrod (72) as Hale continued to build momentum by recovering the score to 138-5.

However, once again the away team accelerated the run rate as J Hodgkinson (29) and Pat Flanagan (54) shared a partnership of 64 within 10 overs to boost Barnton’s chances of posting a huge total.

Dave Saddington (2-32) eventually dismissed both batsmen, but the damage was already done as Barns were set an imposing target of 236 to win.

The run chase got off to the worst possible start as Dan Gilbert claimed a victim with the fourth ball of the innings with the home side yet to get off the mark.

But Cooper looked in imperious form as he led the recovery by taking to the score to 63-2 after 14 overs, when he was joined at the crease by Dafedar.

The overseas player quickly acclimatised to the conditions and followed Cooper’s lead in peppering the boundaries, clearing the ropes on four occasions.

The hosts were firm favourites as the pair were relentless in attacking the Barnton bowling, with Cooper reaching a deserved ton consisting of 18 fours at quicker than a run-a-ball.

Requiring 35 from the remaining eight overs, Barns threatened to collapse as A Leese (2-57) finally bowled Cooper (106), as well as taking the wicket of Dafedar shortly after for a 59-ball 80.

Gilbert (4-32) then dismissed three more batsmen in quick succession as Barns fell from 201-2 to 225-7 to set up a nail-biting conclusion, but Christian Dodson (five not out) and Hicks (six not out) held their nerve, reaching the required total with 11 balls to spare to complete a sensational win.