ASTWOOD Bank suffered a first defeat of the season in Birmingham Division Three when they were edged out by two wickets by Stratford.

Bank had won the toss and elected to bat but failed to capitalise on a good start.

Matthew MacDonald (21), Alex Robinson (46) and Sam Thomas (15) got among the runs as Astwood put themselves in a promising position to reach 108-3.

But they then finished their 50 overs to 189-8, despite Joe Haslam scoring 27 runs lower down the order.

Astwood made an early breakthrough when opening batsman Chris Calcott was caught by MacDonald, who also ran out Rob West.

But Stratford rallied well as Ben Cooper (64) and Dexter Purser (63) guided the hosts to 137-3, before the former fell victim to Thomas Harris.

When Thomas removed Purser, Stratford were 139-4 but Ben Piggott scored 30 not out as the Warwickshire side made 191-8.

Captain Steve Adshead commented: "We were disappointed not to win the game.

"We made a good start with the bat but lost four wickets for 20 runs in the middle order, which usually a strong area, and we didn't score as many runs as we liked.

"We were a bit slow bowling but were pleased when we broke up the dangerous partnership but Stratford won the game.

"They are a good side and last year we lost heavily there, so to come away thinking we should have won is progress."

Astwood take on newly-promoted Pelsall on Saturday (noon start) at home.

They made emphatic progress into round three of the National Village Knockout Cup as they put Worcestershire Division Three side Avoncroft to the sword.

Sam Thomas scored 205 not out as Bank made 350, while Martin Richardson (5-8) and Thomas also took wickets as Croft were dismissed for 24 runs.