ASTWOOD Bank bagged their first success of the season in the Birmingham League Division Three with a 48 run win over struggling Newport on Saturday.

Dan Taylor took his opportunity to prove himself in the first team with both hands as he produced impressive displays with the bat and ball.

Captain Steve Adshead won the toss and decided to bat first.

The top half of the order all made good starts but were unable to produce big scores.

Tom Pedley (25), Alex Robinson (22), Adshead (26), Tom Underhill (14) and Sam Thomas (42) were among the runs.

Bank had collapsed from 90-2 to 130-8 before Thomas and Taylor (14) put together a partnership of 40 runs to guide their side to a respectable 187 all out.

Newport's batting order bounced back from the early loss of Joe Watson, who was trapped lbw by Andrzej Jagielski, but Robert Furniss (18), Ian Gillespie (63) and Craig Atherton (22) scored runs early on.

However, Bank three spinners turned the screws as their opponents collapsed to 139 all out.

Taylor took 6-17 in his ten overs, while Jagielski (3-24) made a vital contribution.

"Dan has done very well, he's been playing in the seconds but he's definitely staked a claim," said Adshead.

"We wanted three spinners because we thought it would suit the conditions.

"I was pleased with the spirit we showed batting. The top five started well but didn't go on to score a big number.

"It was a little like last season when we struggled for runs but Sam Thomas and Dan Taylor really rallied well and got us to a okay score."

Meanwhile, Astwood booked their place in the next round of the National Village Cup with an eight wicket win over Feckenham.

Thomas Harris took six wickets as The Millers were dismissed for 88, while Tom Pedley scored 52 runs as Bank made 92-2 in reply.

They will take non Kempsey in the next round on Sunday, May 29.