STEVE Adshead produced a captain's innings as Astwood Bank finally got off the mark in the Birmingham League Division Three with a winning draw over Bridgnorth on Saturday.

Adshead set the tone with a commanding 145, which was at a rate of almost a run a ball, to give the newly-promoted Worcestershire League Championships some much-needed impetus.

The 16 points earned nearly doubled their tally after six matches, although Astwood remain second from bottom.

"We lost the toss and were put into bat on a damp surface. Bridgnorth would have liked to have taken early wickets but I thought we batted well," said the captain.

"Pete Alexander and Sam Thomas also got some runs.

"The result was needed, we've not had the best of starts but hopefully we will have been lifted by this result."

Bank had lost the toss and were put into bat on a damp surface.

But Adshead's imperious innings held the host's batting order together.

After losing Alex Robinson (18) and Brandon Miller (1) cheaply, Thomas (32) supported the captain before he was bowled by Bridgnorth's Sam Whitney.

Alexander then struck 32 not out and while Adshead was dismissed for Whitney, Bank had reached 257-6 in their 55 overs.

Astwood's bowlers set about their task efficiently as Bridgnorth struggled to reach their target.

However, they earned a share of the spoils by making 226-9 in their 55 overs.

Jonathan Summers (2-75) removed Ryan Lockley (41) and James Ralph (47), while Dan Thomas (3-39) also had Thomas Weston, who hit 56, caught by Adam Watson.

Adshead said: "We never looked like losing the game and if we had come into this match on the back of some better results then I think we would have pushed it a bit more.

"There are one or two dropped catches but overall I was pleased with the result."