STEVE Clark and Paul Boycott were Astwood Bank's unlikely batting heroes as they steered their side to a winning draw at Bromyard in Division One.

The Jill Lane side looked to be in trouble when they lost their first three wickets with just 30 on the board.

But that brought the experienced Clark and Boycott to the crease and they built a marvellous 150-run partnership to steady the innings.

Clarke was eventually dismissed for 87 with Boycott's 67 helping Bank to a respectable 238-9.

Bromyard reached 229-8 in reply but the visitors still secured the majority of the points, much to the delight of skipper Dan Evans.

"We heard them talking before the game and it was clear they thought they would have an easy win," he explained.

"We were in a good position against Bewdley the previous week and let it slip so we were determined not to let it slip for a second week.

"We showed great spirit in the field and were really determined.

"Paul Boycott may not be as consistent as he once was but, when we needed runs, he had the experience to dig in and help us.

"We are still a young side so to have experienced players like Steve and Paul in the side has really helped."

Astwood Bank made the trip to Herefordshire without a number of key players and their return for the visit of league leaders Kington on Saturday is sure to give Evans a selection headache.

Fellow Division One side Alvechurch lost their tussle at home to Pershore by three wickets.

A useful 64 from Shashi Ranjan helped the Hopwood side to 240 all out only for their visitors to clinch victory with 244-7.

Another four wickets from skipper Pete Monk could not stop Feckenham from slumping to a three-wicket defeat at Cutnall Green in Division Three North.

The visitors set their hosts a target of just 177 and an unbeaten half century from Neil Evans took them to 178-7 and victory.

In Division Four, Hewell are still struggling at the foot of the table following a 120-run defeat at home to Chain Wire.

Chasing a total of 258-8, the home side were never in the reckoning and were eventually all back in the pavilion for just 138.