BARNT Green could still book themselves a top four finish in this season’s Birmingham League after walloping defending champions Walsall by 112 runs.

The Green began the game looking over their shoulder at the relegation scrap unfolding behind them.

But solid batting down the order saw them build a formidable total of 300 for seven which virtually put the game beyond Walsall.

Tom Burton held the early order together with a timely 46, but it was the batting of Craig Crowe and Jack Williams that really turned the innings around.

The pair put on 146 runs for the fifth wicket, Crowe cracking 88 while Williams provided 75.

They drew praise from skipper Andy Sutton who claimed: “Jack hasn’t looked back since scoring his first 50 against Kidderminster. He’s had a cracking season and batted superbly against Walsall.

“Craig played much more positively than of late, they used the powerplay really well and effectively batted Walsall out of the game”.

Strike bowler Alistair Pollock soon made an impact when Walsall replied, picking up the first three wickets to claim three for 42.

But it was Stephen Bevan that effectively put paid to Walsall, coming on at second change to claim three for 18 off his 10 overs. Walsall were never in the hunt as they eventually subsided to 188 all out.

The result means Barnt Green need four more points to be absolutely safe, but skipper Sutton is already looking ahead.

The Green host Himley this Saturday and Sutton claimed: “It might be a bit of dead rubber, but we’ll be going all out to win. If you don’t go out to win, then there’s no point in turning up.”

The Green are also waiting to see who they play in the Graham Williamson Trophy Final.

Sutton promised: “They’ll be no let up from us until the end of the season. Make no mistake, we want to finish with some silverware.”