RAIN robbed Astwood Bank of almost certain victory against Pershore in Birmingham League Division Three.

Having prised Pershore out for a modest 93 runs, the Bank were positively coasting home on 45 for two when play had to be abandoned through rain. A victory would have taken them to top spot!

Skipper Steve Adshead was philosophical about the outcome and said: "That's cricket! Another 3.2 overs and we would have at least got a winning draw as we were well ahead of the rate when rain arrived, although I was confident we would have knocked the runs off.

"We knew that rain was forecast and we'd come off for a few light showers. We were just about to go back on again when we had an almighty downpour that lasted for about half an hour.

"It left some areas of the ground very wet and although people worked really hard to get the game going again, I can understand why the umpires didn't want to go back on.

"It was just ironic we were the only side in the top four divisions who didn't get a result!

Despite his dismay, Adshead was quick to take the positives, adding: "We won the toss and put Pershore into bat on a slow wicket. Scoring wasn't easy but the guys bowled and fielded superbly and kept putting the ball in the right area.

"I thought a score of 93 was well under par and I was always confident of knocking them off as we bat all the way down the order."

Dan Taylor proved pick of Astwood Bank's bowling taking by taking four for 15 off 13 overs and was superbly backed up by Mike Desmond who claimed three for eight off 8.1 overs while Tom Harris took two for 19.

The Bank travel to Shropshire side Worfield this Saturday where Alex Robinson returns to boost the batting.

Adshead is also keeping his fingers crossed that Dan Thomas will have a successful run out for the Second XI He said: "Dan tore his hamstring right at the start of the season and hasn't played since. He has been Astwood Bank's leading seam bowler for a number of years and it would be great to have him back".