CAPTAIN Steve Adshead admitted Astwood Bank paid the price for relegation from the Birmingham League Division Three after a poor season with the bar.

Bank's hopes of a last day escape from the bottom four ended in disappointing as they lost to Wordfield by five-wickets.

Victory would not have helped their cause as the two teams above the drop zone, Pelsall and Whitchurch, respectively won against Worcester and Kings Heath.

They now return to Worcestershire Division One after two years in the Birmingham League.

Bank had won nine games this season, which compares favourably with the teams who finished above them, but they only earned nine bonus points for batting, which was way down on almost all of the teams.

Captain Steve Adshead said: "We just didn't bat well enough.

"The bowlers were up to their usual good standard and we had four guys in the division's top ten in terms of averages.

"But we never got going with the bat, we've missed Dan Thomas who has been away for 60 per cent of the season but we all have to take responsibility for what's happened.

"Too many players did not play well and the lack of batting bonus points says it all."

Astwood had rallied in recent weeks and looked capable of avoiding the drop but in the end, their fate was not in their own hands.

They were also no match for Worfield, who finished the season in third.

Put into bat after losing the toss, Astwood were dismissed for 124.

Jon Summers took three wickets as Worfield replied with 130-5.

But Adshead also felt positive about the future.

He added: "We've got some very young players in the team who are doing well and they will only improve.

"I am hoping the experienced players remain because they are also important.

"We actually ended the season positively, so let's hope we can take the momentum into next season."