A LOCAL derby at lowly Feckenham awaits in-form Astwood Bank on Saturday as the latter bid to overhaul Redditch Entaco at the top of the Worcestershire League Premier Division.
Second-placed Bank closed to within four points of the table-topping Kingfishers thanks to a tight 26-run win over visitors Stourport last time out.
Rob West was again the star of the show as his sparkling 106 off 120 balls containing 14 boundaries set the home side on their way to a commanding 279-8 off their 50 overs.
The entire Bank top order impressed as fellow opener Tom Pedley (31), Tom Underhill (35) and Sam Thomas (42) all contributed in guiding the home side to 214-2.
The innings lost some momentum as Charlie Foley (2-31 off seven) impressed but Bank were pleased with their position at the game’s halfway stage.
Things looked even rosier for the hosts when they had Stourport reduced to 89-5 after Dan Thomas (3-41) had blitzed the top order, but nobody had reckoned on the magnificent innings from visiting captain Andrew Siwicki which was to follow.
The skipper smashed a brutal 109 off just 96 balls including 14 fours and three sixes to lead his team to 214-6.
However, Siwicki was then dismissed by Michael Desmond and the visitors fell to 253 all out off 46.4 overs despite a quickfire 53 from Charlie Foley who was run out by Tom Underhill.
