STEVE Adshead hailed Birmingham and District League Division Three champions Sutton Coldfield as they thrashed Astwood Bank by 118 runs.

Bank could not prevent the Birmingham side from sealing the title as they were swept aside at Rectory Park.

Adshead said: “Every team was have played this year said Sutton Coldfield were the best team they have played and so it proved.

“They were obviously buzzing and at the top of their game, but we wanted to get a positive result ourselves.

“But the chance of winning the league provided more motivation than playing for pride and, in the end, they gave us a hiding.”

Astwood had won the toss and put Sutton into bat.

Sam Thomas (3-20) and Michael Desmond (3-28) took three wickets each as the hosts posted 199-9 in 50 overs.

In reply, Bank’s batsmen were dismissed for a paltry 81 in the 30th over, with Dan Childs (5-25) and Lee Thomason (4-26) in fine form with the ball for the home side.

Despite a crushing defeat, it has been an encouraging second half of the season for Astwood.

After winning the Worcestershire League in 2013 to go up to the Birmingham League, they struggled to acclimatise to the new level.

But a fine run of form ensured they stayed out of the bottom four and are looking to push on next summer.

Astwood end the season at home to third-placed Streetly on Saturday (noon start).

“Streetly can finish second but Sutton are the best team in the division and we don’t want the disappointment of losing our last two games of the season,” added Adshead.

l Meanwhile, in Warwickshire County League Division One, Studley defeated fellow strugglers Atherstone by seven wickets.

Bowling first, the Bees kept Atherstone to 193-9, with Steve Rose taking four wickets.

Rose (58) and Chris Perrins (118) guided Studley to 194-3 in reply.