RED-HOT Astwood Bank cemented top spot in Birmingham League Division Three with a five-wicket victory at Stratford.
Once again, as has become a hallmark of the team, Bank’s bowlers impressed in dismissing the hosts for just 144 inside 52 overs.
No batsmen reached 30 as Tom Harris starred with 3-36 off 13.5 overs, Dan Taylor took 3-21 off 12 miserly overs and Andrzej Jagielski chipped in with 2-40 off 15.
Solid contributions from the Bank top order, including 42 from opener Alex Robinson, ensured victory was always in their sights and the visitors reached 147-5 in the 45th despite former Redditch player Perry Derrick’s 3-43 off 16 overs.
Bank host fifth placed Newport on Saturday.
Attentions will then turn to Sunday’s National Village Cup quarter-final at Leicestershire side Langtons when Bank know victory will secure a home semi-final and leave the Sambourne Lane outfit just one win from Lord’s.
