ASTWOOD BANK moved to the top of the Birmingham League Division Three table with a two-wicket win over Fordhouses and are now the only unbeaten side in the division.
Bowlers Michael Desmond and Dan Thomas were the destroyers-in-chief as Bank swept through the visitors’ batting line-up.
After winning the toss and fielding, opening bowler Thomas set the trend with 3-13 in ten overs and Desmond ripped through the lower order with 4-19.
Tendai Chisoro top scored with 58 for Fordhouses but Daniel Williams (20) and Russell Thompson (29) were the only other players to reach double figures as they were dismissed for 134 in the 40th over.
However, any thoughts it would be plain sailing for Astwood Bank to reach their target quickly vanished.
Alex Robinson and Sam Thomas fell cheaply before opener Matt MacDonald – with 20 off 39 balls – and skipper Steve Adshead – smacking 40 from 38 balls including five fours and one six – rebuilt the innings.
Tom Harris – with 34 off 35 balls including three sixes – took them closer to their target but Aatif Ali claimed 4-39 to keep Fordhouses sensing victory.
However, Astwood Bank’s ninth-wicket pair Andrzej Jagielski and Dan Thomas steered them to a third win in a row in the 29th over.
Adshead’s men now lead the table by 14 points after Aston Manor, Pelsall and Streetly all tasted defeat for the first time in 2015.
Astwood Bank 2nds completed a weekend win double for the club with a seven-wicket victory against Walsall at Gorway.
Mark Richardson (4-22), Haris Ali (3-29) and Tom Shepherd (2-8) helped dismiss the hosts for 131 before Bank timed the reply to perfection to win in the 49th over.
Openers Chris Hancox and Ryan Blakemore both scored 33, before Andy Williams led them home with an unbeaten 36.
On Sunday, opener Dave Price scored 107 as Astwood Bank recorded a thumping 211-run win against Bewdley.
Price’s century helped them to 238-6 in their 40 overs before Bewdley were humbled for just 27, with Muhammad Safyan taking 4-4.
Astwood Bank 1sts make the short trip to Stratford on Saturday, while the 2nds entertain Stratford.
