REVENGE was sweet for Alvechurch as they secured a winning draw against neighbours Astwood Bank in their Division One clash at the weekend.

The Bank had cruised to a nine-wicket win when the sides met on the opening day of the season but there was to be no repeat performance as Church ended their three-match losing run.

"It would have been good to get the win but at least we are heading in the right direction," said skipper Martin Curtice, whose side-strain forced him to sit out the match.

"We go to Kington at the weekend hoping to maintain our form -- we had a chance to beat them at our place earlier in the season."

All-rounder Shashi Ranjan stood in as captain and was the star with the bat for Alvechurch, reaching 99 before being run out.

The home side set a target of 241-9 and this looked good enough for victory as the visitors lost three early wickets in the face of a fine opening spell of bowling from Chris Wolstencroft.

Astwood Bank recovered and secured a losing draw after totalling 198-7 from their overs.

Bank skipper Dan Evans said: "It was a strange game really. We were happy to keep them to under 250 but we then lost three cheap wickets and looked in trouble.

"Steve Clarke then scored 71 and Bryan Melliard 46 for a 100-partnership and we looked like we could get the win. But when they were out, we struggled for runs against their overseas spinner and had to settle for a draw in the end."

There was also a winning draw for Feckenham at Enville in Division Three North.

Andy Kings (58) and an unbeaten 53 from James Preece helped the visitors to 240-6 before the Staffordshire side were restricted to 212-8 in reply.

And in Division Four, Hewell's poor run continued as they lost by nine wickets at Brintons after being dismissed for a paltry 75 -- a result that leaves them languishing at the foot of the table.