HALE Barns' first XI climbed into the top half of the Cheshire County Cricket League Division Two table after cruising to a seven-wicket win against Mobberley at Brooks Drive.

Ben Hicks and Younas Saeed were the pick of the bowlers with three wickets apiece, while Tommy Smith and Joe Cooper both played fluent innings to guide Barns to a comfortable victory.

The hosts won the toss and elected to field, which proved to be an inspired decision as Sam Smith (2-22) sent both openers back to the pavilion without scoring before Hicks claimed two dismissals of his own to restrict Mobberley to 11-4.

Matt Mountney and Abdul Aqeel showed terrific concentration and resilience to lead a revival for the away side, putting on 63 for the fifth wicket.

However, Saeed’s consistent spell was rewarded with three dismissals in quick succession, including Mountney for 28, with the young bowler claiming impressive figures of 3-10 from eight overs.

Phil Dodd (2-17) then got in on the act with two wickets of his own, including the stubborn Aqeel (38), while Hicks (3-27) returned to the attack to claim the final dismissal, leaving the visitors all out for 108 from 36.1 overs, having lost their final five wickets for just 24 runs.

Tommy Smith and Cooper were tasked with leading the run chase and both scored freely from the off, reaching a 50 partnership within 12 overs.

The pair took the total to 70 unscathed until Tommy Smith finally departed for a well-made 37.

Cooper (36) was removed soon after, while Campbell Vadlja came and went for 10, but the away team ultimately gave themselves too much to do as Barns eased to the required total in less than 25 overs, with Khurram Hussain ending unbeaten on 16.

The firsts registered another victory the following day against Cheadle Hulme to progress to the semi-finals of the Cheshire Shield, chasing down an imposing target of 236 to win after Tommy Smith scored 69 and Christian Dodson finished unbeaten on 57.

Meanwhile, the second XI secured a fifth consecutive win, defeating leaders Mobberley by three wickets in an epic encounter.

Dan Martin took four wickets as the hosts set 193-9 from their allotted overs, with Nick Lathbury producing a stunning unbeaten century to help Barns pick up all 25 points with just one ball to spare.

And the third team capped off a perfect weekend for the club by making it four wins out of four from the senior sides.

Jack Wylie, Hamza Ali and under-15 player Thomas Reed – making his senior debut – all claimed three scalps each, while Junaid Iqbal struck 78 not out from 72 balls as they saw off Didsbury fourths by seven wickets.