ASTWOOD BANK will be targeting a quick response at leaders Fordhouses this weekend after seeing their eight-game unbeaten run brought to an end by fellow high-flyers Streetly on Saturday.
Steve Adshead’s Bank side went down by five wickets as Streetly returned to winning ways after successive losses and just 19 points now separate the Birmingham League Division Three top four.
Adshead struck a fine 105 off 100 balls and opener Tom Pedley made 57, but Streetly’s Michael Dinneny took 5-39 off nine overs to ensure Bank did not put the game beyond the visitors as they posted 250-8 off their 55 overs.
Bank, now third, were looking for early wickets to put the pressure on when Streetly began their reply but a second wicket partnership of 90 between Sean Dunne (75) and Craig Moore (48) put Streetly in a strong position and Imran Qadir then made 57 to set his side up for victory.
Streetly reached 253-5 in the 47th over despite economical bowling from Andrzej Jagielski who took 2-69 off 16 overs and two wickets for Mike Desmond.
AMBER Capewell compiled a match-winning 76 not out to help Astwood Bank Women complete the double over Quatt in Women’s Midlands League Division Two.
Having won the toss and batted first, Bank lost both openers Clare Boycott (20) and Sally Livingstone after excellent starts before Capewell’s fantastic innings steered them to 153.
Due to rain, Quatt had only 29 overs to chase the score and excellent bowling from Boycott and Mars Zaman (4-11) had them at 18-4.
Great support bowling soon had Quatt all out for 53 to keep Bank second in the table, one point behind Worfield.
The team return to action on July 31 when they entertain Charlbury.