ALVECHURCH CC held a minute's silence before Saturday's subdued match against Highley in honour of wicketkeeper Roger Astill who died suddenly the same morning.

Astill, 39, a regular at the club for 25 years, had been treated for a brain tumour but was recently told the cancer had returned in his spine.

Church captain Nick Jones paid tribute to the club stalwart.

"He really was a local hero and it's not a clich to say he will be very sadly missed," said Jones.

"After he was diagnosed he was dignified and brave about facing his mortality.

"Roger started the season behind the stumps for us and was a talented wicketkeeper and aggressive batsman.

"He was still playing golf the Sunday before he died and was walking tall and refusing to let the condition get the better of him. He was a huge local hero."

A popular character, Astill leaves a wife and four daughters and tragically did not live to see his sister's wedding, brought forward a year to this weekend because of his illness.

The Birmingham Road side kept up the pressure on leaders Hereford City with a win over a Highley side mourning the loss of their treasurer the previous week.

Hereford bagged 24 points against Birlingham to extend their lead to 49 points but Alvechurch kept Belbroughton 19 behind them in the race for second.

Alvechurch visit Victoria and Blakeley on Saturday (2pm start) with Neil Guy set to be replaced by James Lavender.