ASTWOOD Bank skipper Steve Adshead looked at the positives after Saturday's clash against title-chasing Sutton Coldfield was abandoned because of the rain.

While the Sambourne Lane outfit could only manage five points all their rivals in the Birmingham League Division Three played.

Astwood remain fifth from bottom but with four sides going down the teams are separated by only a few points.

Closest rivals Millford Hall defeated Kings Heath to close the gap on Bank to just five points.

But on a positive note, Kings Heath's defeat means they are only one place and 11 points ahead of them.

"It seems we had a bit of a micro-climate this weekend as no one else in our division was hit by the rain," said Adshead.

"We're the only side in Worcestershire and the rest are scattered around the Midlands.

"Millford's win was the only one that really affected us and beating Kings Heath also did us a favour because they didn't move."

Astwood have recovered from a poor start to their first season at this level and are now well-poised to push on and secure their place next season.

They face a crucial period, starting with Saturday's trip to Streetly (noon start).

In the following five matches, they face all three of the teams below them.

Astwood go to Millford on July 5, entertain Fordhouses a week later then tackle Kings Heath away, Quatt and then Penn at home after that.

Adshead said: "This weekend is the halfway stage but then we have an absolutely vital run of games that could define our season.

"It's not been frustrating to have a game abandoned but before that we were playing well."

Astwood's game against Sutton got under away but the game was stopped in the tenth over with the home side 43-2.

Alex Robinson (wrist) and Sam Thomas (fractured finger) are both doubts for Saurday's clash.