ASTWOOD Bank skipper Steve Adshead remains confident his side can turn matters around as their poor start to the season continued this week.

The Bank suffered a hefty 117 run reverse at league leaders Penkridge on Saturday, leave the Sambourne Road side rooted to the bottom of Birmingham League Division Two.

Matters worsened on Sunday when the Bank lost interest in this season's National Village Cup competition following a seven wicket defeat to Hagley in the Worcestershire regional final.

Adshead admitted: "If we were playing as well as we could, then I'd be more concerned but I'm confident that we can get better."

But Adshead also blamed himself adding: "I'm aware that I'm averaging just under 20 so far this season and that's just not good enough.

"If I'm getting runs, then it makes it easier for the others and helps to build partnerships.

"It's a challenge - but I enjoy the challenge."

The Bank found themselves well below full strength at Penkridge, who plundered a huge total of 305 for nine to chase, Rana Hassan making top score of 73 while the experienced Attiq Chishti added a further 50.

The Bank gave a Birmingham League debut to 18-year-old seamer Dan Brookes who bagged the wicket of the dangerous Chishti, while 17-year-old batsman Connor Adams also had his first taste of cricket at this level and made an encouraging 29 runs when his side replied.

But the Bank fell well short on 188 all out, Tom Harris making the highest score of 36.

Adshead added: "It wasn't a ridiculously big score on Penkridge's tight but very pleasant ground. But too many of our batsmen got in and didn't kick on."

The Bank also failed to put enough runs on the board against Hagley after being restricted to 181 for nine off their allotted 40 overs.

Opening bat Tom Pedley made 40 as did Sam Thomas, the pair putting on 83 for the second wicket.

Pete Alexander then added a further 38, but it wasn't enough when Hagley replied and reached 182 for three with 11 balls to spare.

The Bank attempt to bounce back this Saturday when they entertain Wombourne in the Birmingham League.