ALVECHURCH stayed in touch with the early Division Two leaders after recording a winning draw in a rain-affected match against Worcester Nomads.

The hosts went third ahead of Saturday's derby at neighbours Astwood Bank (2pm start).

Two divisions separated the sides last season but the village rivals are preparing to lock horns after Alvechurch and Hopwood were promoted from Division Three and the Bank came down from Division One.

Church skipper John Rose top scored with 111 as the hosts piled on an impressive 268-6.

A heavy downpour saw the game reduced to 40 overs and Alvechurch banked 12 points from the draw despite seeing their opponents stubbornly reach 122-2.

Unbeaten Alvechurch trail the top two by six points after the first three fixtures.

Astwood Bank had an up and down weekend with rain derailing their fixture at bottom of the league Stourport.

Dan Sealey (48) and Andy Clayton (69) led with the bat as Bank put on 164-4 before the heavens opened after just 31 overs.

Astwood banked seven points from the abandonment but had more success in the second round of the National Village Knockout on Sunday which saw the batting duo to the fore again.

Sealey top scored with 115 and Clayton weighed in with 57 as Elmley Castle were knocked for 253-4.

Castle could muster only 89ao to set the Bank up with a match at higher division Eastnor on Sunday, May 25.