A FIVE-WICKET haul from Jake Price rescued a stunning 22-run victory for Astwood Bank at Stourport to maintain their Worcestershire League Premier Division title hopes.
With leaders Stourbridge held to a winning draw at home to Pershore, it was vital fourth-placed Bank made inroads into the points difference between the sides and they did just that thanks to Price’s heroics.
Price took 5-30 as Stourport slumped from 53-1 to 112 all out in reply to Bank’s 134.
Despite the 24 points gained, Bank are still 25 points behind Stourbridge with Chaddesley Corbett and Redditch sandwiched between the sides, but Pete Alexander’s team have kept themselves in touch with four games to play – the first of which is Saturday’s visit of relegated Feckenham.
Tom Underhill’s breezy 49 including three sixes had helped Bank make a solid start but once he was dismissed to leave the visitors 107-5 the innings fell away badly despite 25 from Connor Adams.
Stourport appeared in no danger in reply but the dismissal of Matt Hatfield (33) – bowled by Dan Thomas – left the hosts wobbling slightly on 68-3 and the rest of their order collapsed as Price and teenage spinner Josh Baker (3-20) wreaked havoc to end the Stourport innings on 112 off 29 overs.
STUDLEY moved 18 points clear of second-bottom Attock 2nds after beating their hosts by five wickets on Saturday.
The Washford Fields men remain in danger but have now moved level with Dunlop Stars in joint ninth position.
Studley’s fifth win of the Warwickshire League Division Two campaign was inspired by skipper Jack Williams who made a sparkling 108 to guide his side to 186-5 in 42 overs in reply to Attock’s 185 in 42 overs.
On Saturday Studley host fifth-placed Marston Green, with just 24 points separating the teams.
