BEN Hicks led the way with bat and ball in a spectacular individual effort to steer Hale Barns' first XI to an emphatic 79-run victory against Irby.

Mike Hunter top-scored with 68, but it was Hicks who stole the show with a half-century and six wickets to lift Barns up to fourth in the Cheshire Cricket League Division One table and 14 points off top spot.

It was a tough start for the hosts as both openers were removed with the score on 25, but Hunter and Hashir Dafedar (13) provided some stability to restore the innings.

However, Barns were soon reeling as Patrick Delaney (2-27) claimed two wickets to reduce the team to 72-5.

The flurry of wickets brought Hicks to the crease to join the stubborn Hunter, who continued to offer stern resistance.

And while the latter played the role of foil, Hicks produced a brutal display of hitting in an excellent counter-attacking effort as the pair added 81 in the space of 10 overs to put the home team in the driving seat.

Hicks departed for 51 from just 26 deliveries with the score on 153-6 after 31 overs, but Hunter maintained his concentration to keep the total ticking.

Sam Smith came and went for a breezy 17, while Hunter was finally dismissed for a vital 68 as Barns posted 201 all out from 41.3 overs.

In reply, Irby’s start followed a similar pattern as Hicks and Smith (1-13) sent the openers back to the pavilion early, while Joe Cooper (2-28) claimed a couple of wickets as the score moved on to 71-4.

The visitors showed little intent to achieve the required target and appeared to be in deep trouble when Callum Schora (1-13) found a breakthrough at 108-5.

Mark Newman and Patrick Delaney attempted a lengthy rearguard effort in a bid to deny Barns a victory, but Hicks (6-30) returned to the attack and ripped through the lower-order in sensational style.

The left-armer cleaned up Newman for 20 and was soon wrapping up the match as Irby collapsed from 108-5 to 122 all out from 44.2 overs, with Delaney left stranded on 17 not out.