ASTWOOD Bank's testing start to life in the Birmingham League Division Three continues as a batting collapsed precipitated a six wicket loss to Quatt on Saturday.

The newly-promoted Worcestershire County League Champions are still waiting for their first win as they slipped to second from bottom.

But Astwood's batsmen will be kicking themselves after a poor show with the bat.

Captain Steve Adshead got his side off to a strong start as he struck 100 runs off 104 balls.

But the wickets tumbled around him, with only fellow opener Alex Robinson (26) really supporting him as Astwood were dismissed for 164 in 44 overs.

Hayden Cargo was their chief tormentor as he took five wickets for 36 runs.

Bank's bowlers made a good start as Adam Watson bowled Ian Gregory (1) and Jonathan Summers removed Richard Jones (9) but Adrian Evans (53), Thomas Whitney (41no) and Craig Harris (25no) guided Quatt to 167-4.

Captain Adshead said: "It was a really disappointing result.

"I am not exonerating myself from the result, I did not score an innings which won the game for us.

"We fell short of a defendable total and that put a lot of pressure on our bowlers to chase the game.

"Confidence is a a bit low but I also know that there are a lot of good batsmen who have yet to meet the high standards they reached last season."

To make matters worse, Astwood surprisingly lost by seven wickets to Worcestershire Division Two side Cookley on Sunday in the National Village Knockout on Sunday.

With Adshead and Brandon Miller ineligible for this competition, Astwood had made 250-6 in their 40 overs but Cookley were guided to 253-3 by Al Roden (61) and Paul Thomas (90no).

Astwood now face an important league clash on Saturday when they go to fellow strugglers Penn on Saturday (noon start).

Brothers Dan and Sam Thomas will miss the match.

"Penn are struggling so this is a chance for us to bounce back but they're probably thinking the same about us," commentedAdshead.