ASTWOOD BANK earned some welcome respite from their Birmingham League Division Two troubles as they defeated fellow strugglers Streetly by four wickets on Saturday.
Young Josh Baker starred in a fine bowling display with 4-52 and received fine support from Dan Taylor who took 3-40 to help dismiss the home side for 193 in the 51st over having been put into bat.
Opener Neil Curtis impressed for Streetly with 60 but his dismissal off the bowling of Tom Harris sparked a collapse from 96-2 for the home side.
The early dismissals of openers Tom Pedley and Rob West would have left Bank fearing the worst at 14-2, but a superb third-wicket partnership of 119 between skipper Steve Adshead (77) and Sam Thomas (56) eased the nerves and an unbeaten 33 from Pete Alexander helped the visitors to 197-6 off 48 overs.
This was only Bank’s third win of the campaign and they trail second-bottom Streetly by 19 points heading into Saturday’s visit of fourth-placed Sutton Coldfield.
Bank 2nds were beaten by 179 runs at home to lowly Shrewsbury in the First 2nd XI division on what was a highly disappointing day for the hosts.
The visitors were put into bat but amassed an impressive 294-6 from their 50 overs thanks to contributions throughout the order, most notably Peter Clark (57) and Adam Keen (52). Tom Shepherd took 3-64.
Andy Williams’ 23 was the top score for Bank who could only muster 115 all out in reply after Bradley Thornton (3-40) had torn through the top order.
Bank 2nds visit West Bromwich Dartmouth in a mid-table affair on Saturday.
ASTWOOD Bank CC girls Rosie Ward and Holly Neal impressed when they featured for Worcestershire Rapids U13 girls in the win over Wales at the Bank Bowl.
It was a maiden half-century for Ward and Neal made a bright 32.
