HIMLEY booked their place in the final of the Canterbury Cup with victory over Barnards Green last Sunday.

Greg Wright's men won by 16 runs in the T20 competition and can now look forward to the showpiece final at New Road next month.

Bilaal Hussain bludgeoned 88 runs off 56 balls to help Himley set a total of 178.

Despite the loss of opener Andy Ford to the bowling of Elliot Hopkin, Ryan Tongue's 56 and Josh Haynes's 30 kept Green well on track for victory.

However, Chad Brandrick (3-21) removed them both to put Himley back in control.

Tom Rhodes, making his first team debut, also took a sharp catch from his own bowling to help turn things around.

Wickets continued to tumble and Green could only muster 162-8 in their 20 overs.

Chairman Colin Lewis was delighted for his side's success and is now looking forward to the final on September 17, where they will meet either Hagley or Old Elizabethans.

He said: "It was a really great win for us, especially because we had such a young side.

"It's great to get to the final and hopefully we can take good support to New Road.

"It was also pleasing to see Tom Rhodes do so well on debut. His catch was one of the best you'll see and it helped change the game."

Himley have made the final of the competition once before but lost against Worcester two years ago.

It wasn't such a pleasing day last Saturday, however, as second-placed Himley passed up the chance to take a big step towards promotion from Division One of the Birmingham and District League.

An eight-wicket loss against third-placed Smethwick saw the gap between the two sides close to just two points.

It was a chance for Himley to extend away from their rivals but they were bowled out for just 83 in the 34th over after losing the toss.

Amrinder Brar's half century helped Smethwick blow the promotion race wide open.

Lewis added: "It would have been a big win but we're still in a great position and it's totally in our own hands.

"It was an important toss. Whoever won it would have won the game.

"We have so many talented young players coming through each season that's it's only a matter of time before we achieve our goal of getting promotion."

Himley will look to hit back when they take on Bromsgrove at St Godwald's Park this Saturday (noon start).