SKIPPER Adshead believes that Astwood Bank’s batsmen will only grow in confidence after their strong start to the season.

Bank made it three wins in a row and moved up to third in the Birmingham League Division Three thanks to an 81-run victory over Brewood.

The batsmen have been in fine form, which was in stark contrast to last season when they struggled to get into double figures. Against Brewood, Astwood won the toss and elected to bat first and made 264-7.

They made a fine start, making 65-1 before Alex Robinson (31) was caught and bowled by Dewald Joubert. But the runs kept coming thanks to Ryan Blakemore (59), Tom Pedley (67), Adshead (35) and Pete Underhill.

Bank’s bowlers kept the pressure on Brewood and wickets fell at regular intervals, with openers Chris Trainer (10) and Thomas Holley (14) dismissed early on.

Luke Bird provided stiff resistance with 57 runs as Brewood bounced back from slipping to 92-6 and reached 176-7, but the bowling attack maintained the pressure and they were dismissed for 183.

Dan Taylor (4-42), Andzej Jagielski (3-31) were in good form.

“As a team we are scoring a lot of runs, I think on only one occasion so far this season have the openers made less than 50.

“It’s not just down to one player, we are also sharing the runs around and there is a lot of strength of depth.

“It takes the pressure off me as well, but the fact the lads are scoring runs means their confidence will only grow.”

Astwood go to bottom of the table Whitchurch on Saturday (noon start) and will be without the services of brothers Sam and Dan Thomas, who are mourning the loss of father Andy Thomas.

They also visit Dumbleton on Sunday in the regional final of the National Village Knockout.

The seconds made it four wins in a row with success over Oswestry, while the thirds defeated Hanley Castle and Upton.