ASTWOOD Bank skipper Dan Evans has pronounced himself happy with his side's league position after climbing into the top six following Saturday's welcome win at home to struggling Barnards Green.

Bank notched a six-wicket victory to climb further away from the division's potential four-team drop zone and Evans insists now is the time to be looking at the top half of Division One.

"Our target last season was to stay in the league," he said, "this year we said we wanted a top six finish and after saturday we are sixth.

"We know Brockhampton are second in the league and will prove tough opponents on Saturday but now we have to knuckle down and get as many points as we can and see where that leaves us."

The hosts lost the toss on Saturday and were not surprised when Barnards Green followed their usual pattern by opting to bat.

"The ground meant you had good value for your shots and I was happy to restrict them to 200," explained Evans.

Bowlers Adam Lidyard (6-79) and Ian Bowes (4-75) did the damage between them and Andy Clayton hit 75 in reply as Bank successfully chased the highest target they have been set this season.

"Andy batted very well for us and I was pleased with a very good all round display," added Evans, "Andy Alexander and Steve Clarke weighed in with some useful knocks at the end as the run rate started to creep up."

Bank will be missing batsman Stefan Jagielski for Saturday's trip to Brockhampton (1.30pm start) but can call on high-scoring seconds bat Paul Boycott to replace him.

Alvechurch will be even more grateful for Bank's victory over a side who are also at the wrong end of the league after recording a winning draw at Bromyard to boost their own hopes of beating the drop.

Nick Jones hit an unbeaten 96 as the visitors posted an unassiable 287-8.

And Church came within a whisker of outright victory only to be frustrated by stubborn opponents who hung on at 169-9 to claim a share of the spoils.

Second-from-bottom Alvechurch's 16 points leaves them just three points shy of the nominal safety mark and ten points short of the more likely target required if three teams are cut.

Alvechurch visit Eastnor on saturday (1.30pm start).

Feckenham's fading hopes of promotion from Division Three North suffered a further blow at the weekend with a losing draw at Oldswinford.

The hosts reached 237ao and in reply Feckenham could raise only 203-7 to take ten points from the game and leave them 19 points below second placed Pedmore.

But Feckenham can revive their hopes with a win at home to Pedmore on Saturday (1.30pm start).

Hewell's owes continued with a five-wicket defeat at belborughton in Division Five.

The visitors reached 229-8 and saw the hosts reach their target for the loss of five. A slim six points leaves Hewell a gaping 69 points from safety and desperately in need of a result at Kiderminster Victoria on Saturday (1.30pm start).