ASTWOOD Bank powered into the last 16 of the National Village Cup with a four wicket win over Newtown Linford on Sunday.

Bank booked a clash against Pelsall at home on Sunday, July 12 after a complete display in Leicestershire.

Despite playing on an unfamiliar ground against unknown opponents, they were spurred on by a strong away following.

Skipper Thomas Harris won the toss and opted to field first and the ploy work as the hosts were kept to 183-7 in 40 overs.

Harris lead the way with three wickets, while Tom Shepherd (2-37), Ryan Blakemore (1-18) and Dan Taylor (1-18) all chipped in.

Bank lost Sam Thomas, who was caught by Daniel Brown off the bowling of David Woods, early on but Blakemore, who has only just turned 16, steadied the ship.

Brandon Miller (19) and Andy Williams (61) added more runs as the away side reached 185-6 in the 39th over.

It was a good response by Astwood, who saw their winless run in the Birmingham League Division Three stretched to four games after being defeated by C&R Hawks on Saturday.

Captain Steve Adshead won the toss and opted to bat first but his side's run drought continued when they were dismissed for 91 all out in the 29th over.

Despite a wicket each for Jon Summers and Dan Taylor, with Ifikhar Khan and Mubeen Rashid dismissed respectively, the away side made 95-2 in 11 overs.

Runs over the last month have been a problem for Astwood, with captain Adshead also going through a dry spell after a decent start to the summer.

"We are certainly not a one man team when it comes to batting but as the most experienced player, it certainly helps if I score runs," said Adshead.

"There have been plenty of occasions when I haven't scored runs and other members of the team have done so.

"It wasn't good enough on Saturday, there was no excuses we just didn't score enough runs, myself included."

Astwood have slipped into the bottom three and go to mid-table Worfield in the league on Saturday (noon start).