ASTWOOD BANK suffered a five-wicket Birmingham League Division Two defeat at Sutton Coldfield on Saturday.
Jack Smith’s impressive 4-41 off ten overs ensured the visitors’ innings was never really able to get going despite 46 from opener Ryan Blakemore and a breezy unbeaten 52 from Pete Alexander.
Bank’s innings closed on 193-7 off their 50 overs but Steve Adshead’s side then got themselves into a position to challenge for victory by reducing the hosts to 76-4.
However, despite two wickets apiece from Jake Price and Tom Harris, a partnership of 111 between Dinushka Nawarathnage (61no) and Smith (64) got the Birmingham side home in the 34th over.
Mid-table Bank, who have 29 points from three matches, host Sutton’s neighbours Walmley on Saturday.
Bank progressed into the National Village Cup Worcestershire Group semi-finals with a three-victory at Dumbleton on Sunday.
Rupert Salmon made an unbeaten 105 and Craig Baldwin struck a blistering 58 off 23 balls to lead the hosts to 256-7 off 40 overs. Price was Bank’s pick of the bowlers with 3-37 off eight overs.
The visitors were undaunted by their run chase and Tom Underhill’s superb 102 off just 59 balls and Alexander’s unbeaten 82 off 65 – with both striking five sixes – led their side to 260-7 with nine balls remaining.
