ASTWOOD Bank captain Stephen Adshead believes Saturday’s win over Fordhouses is a clear indicator of how far his team have progressed in the Birmingham League Division Three.

The Sambourne Lane-based outfit edged out their rivals by two wickets as made it three wins in a row to rise to the top of the table.

Fordhouses were were the first team Astwood played after winning promotion from Worcestershire League and lost by nine wickets.

But since then, Bank have found their feet and after a strong end to last season they have started the 2015 with impressive momentum.

The hosts won the toss and put in Fordhouses into bat and dismissed them for 134 runs in 40 overs.

On a damp wicket which made it difficult for both teams, it was the bowlers who ruled the day.

Michael Desmond (4-19) and Dan Thomas (1-13) were in good form as Bank took control.

Astwood also struggled in reply but Matthew McDonald (20) made a solid start before Alex Robinson (0) and Sam Thomas (4) were dismissed cheaply.

Adshead (40) and Thomas Harris (34) got among the runs as Bank made 135-8 in the 29th over “There is a slope at Astwood Bank so when it rains it is hard to get all the water off, so it was not an easy wicket to bat on,” commented the captain.

“We lost to Fordhouses early on last season and this win was a good measure of how far we have come.”

Astwood take on Straford away in the league on Saturday (noon start) before taking on Avoncroft at home in the Village Knockout Cup on Sunday (1pm start).