ASTWOOD Bank secured their second victory of the Birmingham League Division Three season in superb style on Saturday as they defeated table-topping Hawkins C&R by 84 runs at the Bank Bowl.
The 24-point triumph cemented eighth place for Steve Adshead’s side and helped them pull further clear of danger at the wrong end of the table.
With confidence now soaring, Bank will have aspirations of breaking into the top half of the table as the second half of the campaign approaches.
After winning the toss Adshead chose to bat and he led the way with 56 off 66 balls before middle order duo Pete Alexander (40) and Tom Harris with a superb 81 off 83 balls steadied the nerves to help their side towards a healthy 236-9 off their 55 overs.
Harris then continued his excellent day with 2-17 off five overs after Adam Watson (2-37) and Dan Thomas (4-43 off ten) had done the damage at the top of the order as the visitors were skittled for 152 in the 31st over despite some late tail-end resistance.
Another stern test awaits Bank on Saturday with the visit of second placed Sutton Coldfield, but on this evidence there is plenty of reason for optimism.
STUDLEY remain in the bottom two of Warwickshire League Division One after a convincing eight-wicket defeat at Ambleside on Saturday.
The visitors were put into bat and were restricted to 173-9 as Willie Canavan led the way for the hosts with 3-41 off 11 overs.
Opener Dale Edwards made 32 for Studley and Simon Stamenkovic chipped in with 38, but a regular fall of wickets meant the innings never really gathered momentum and Studley were restricted to 173-9 off their 50 overs.
Ambleside opener Michael Balac then struck a commanding 106 off just 79 balls before he was dismissed by Studley captain Steve Rose (2-37), but he was the only wicket-taker for the visitors as the hosts powered to 174-2 inside 27 overs to leave Studley with just two points for their efforts.
The Washford Fields side host bottom placed Atherstone Town on Saturday and know a win is crucial in order to keep the sides immediately above them within touching distance.
