ASTWOOD Bank's wait to get up and running in the Birmingham and District League Division Three goes on after losing by 58 runs to Kings Heath.

The Sambourne Lane side, who earned promotion after winning the Worcestershire County League title, struggled for runs on a day when the weather played a big part.

After losing the toss, Bank were put into bowl but restricted the hosts to 182 all out in 45 overs.

Dan Thomas (3-43) removed the dangerous Phil Jeffries (30) and Ian Carey (44), while Adam Watson (2-33) also did well.

Jonathan Summers (1-16), Thomas Harris (1-35) and Andrzej (1-34) also took wickets.

But as the weather changed, so did Astwood's fortunes as they struggled on a damp pitch.

Captain Steve Adshead, a key player opening the bat for Bank, had reached 25 runs when he was caught by Stuart Shephard off the bowling of Ian Carey.

With the rain forcing a break in play, Astwood were set a target of 145 for victory and despite the top order struggling they still had a chance of victory.

But when Harris was caught by Jeffries off Christopher Monk's bowling. In the end, the hosts were dismissed for 124 in 29 overs.

Adshead said: "The weather did play a part. It was dry when we bowled and we managed to dismissed Kings Heath for good target.

"Unfortunately, the weather changed and batting was difficult but to be honest, we could have done better.

"Myself and Thomas Harris got in but did not build and we should have scored more runs. It was frustrating."

Bank face a crucial few weeks as they look to record their first win at this level against fellow strugglers.

Next Saturday, they go to Quatt (noon start), followed by a home trip to Penn on May 24.

"It may be we are still getting used to this level but I think the players have got to realise that beyond the first choice bowling, there has not been a lot to be scared of," added the captain.

"We have two important games coming up and hopefully we can get off the mark."

Astwood are set to play Cookley in the next round of the Village Knockout Cup this Sunday after the fixture was abandoned this weekend.