Skipper Craig Hendry, along with Nick Dutton and brothers Keith and Mark Skinner, helped Barkby cruise past 1993 opponents Thorpe Arnold once again in a one-sided final at Egerton Park CC.

The finalists went into the match high on confidence with both clubs pushing for promotion in the Everards County League.

Barkby also had the fillip of knocking out cup holders and local powerhouse Buckminster in the semi-final stages.

With a wicket made lively by overnight rain and an afternoon shower, Thorpe skipper Dil Yahathugoda lost a vital toss and were from there rarely in the game.

Despite Brian Makwana's top score of 31, Thorpe collapsed from 52 for 3 to 66 all out as Barkby eased to a six-wicket victory in front of a good crowd.

Hendry was under no illusions what his most important contribution had been: "Winning the toss was absolutely key. It rained this afternoon which gave the pitch a lift and luckily our team was packed with seam bowlers.

"We are doing well altogether this year. We are 50-odd points clear in the Everards League and are in the Burrough League Plate final on Friday.

"We are only halfway through the season and there is a long way to go, but we have already beaten most of the top teams around us this season.

Club secretary Kevin Flowers was another member of the 1993 cup-winners, but now watching from the sidelines, and was keen to sing the praises of the younger players.

"We have managed to hold on to our really good players whereas in the past they have gone to play for Syston so that has been very important to us.

"Seven of the first team are teenagers and that has made a really big difference to us."