ASTWOOD Bank and Exhall are through to the regional finals of cricket's National Village Knockout competition.

And each side had their skipper playing a captain's innings to keep them in the hunt for a place in the national final later this year.

Astwood Bank had to overcome Bretforton, one of Exhall's rivals in the Cotswold Hills Premier Division.

The home side made a slow start before influential former Stratford batsman Paul Jones got into his stride.

He then romped to 70, including a handful of towering sixes, before being stumped by Bank's Alex Robinson off the bowling of Paul Boycott.

Without their big-hitting talisman, Bretforton struggled for runs and were eventually dismissed for 143 with Denis Freeman (2-16), the pick of the bowlers, while Ian Bowes took an excellent 2-8 off his nine overs.

In reply, Bank skipper Dan Evans led the run chase with an excellent 80no while Alex Robinson (20no) and Andy Clayton (21) also chipped in to steer the visitors to victory.

They now travel to Chaddesley Corbett in the regional final on Sunday, June 18.

Exhall skipper Simon Hollands was also among the runs as his side edged past Fillongley by the narrowest of margins, the visitors going through after losing fewer wickets after the scores were tied.

Hollands won the toss and asked the hosts to bat.

Openers Aaron Blackmore and Smith got off to a flyer, with Leon Gates and Steve Kerby being dispatched for a number of boundaries.

But the double introduction of wily spinners Andy Marsh (0-37) and John Park (1-43) dragged the scoring rate back down from seven an over to 4.5 an over, whilst forcing errors from the batsmen.

With a couple of fine catches from Hollands and Park, together with two run-outs, Exhall restricted the hosts to 204-9 off 40 overs.

A total that seemed to be below par.

In reply, Matt Gwynn was quick out of the blocks, supported by skipper Hollands.

When Gwynn (46) chipped a simple catch to mid-wicket he had dominated the opening stand of 58.

Steve Kerby then provided an entertaining knock of 53 that included three sixes before he was out leaving Hollands and wicketkeeper Scott Carmichael at the crease.

The skipper finally fell for 66 leaving Exhall needing another 32 off just 24 balls.

John Simpson and Carmichael scampered a few runs with the odd boundary thrown in.The tension was mounting as Exhall needed ten off the final over to tie the game. Simpson's boundary first ball helped things along but two dot balls kept the game in the balance.

Carmichael finally steered a ball away for two runs to tie the game, the visitors booking their place in the next round having lost fewer wickets.

Exhall will meet Ansley at home on Sunday, June 18.