SECOND-placed Stourbridge will test their promotion credentials when they go to third-placed Astwood Bank this Saturday.

Stour maintained their top-two position with a winning draw at home to Handsworth last weekend and confident skipper Josh Banks is looking forward to the challenge.

He said: "We know a lot about Astwood Bank after playing them for years in the Worcestershire League.

"A lot of their lads of progressed now and they seem a strong side so it'll be a big test for us.

"It's a big game but we will go there with a positive attitude. The spirit in the squad is really good and everyone is playing with a lot of confidence.

"It could be a big game come the end of the season but we're not worried about that. We're just taking it one game at a time and we'll see where we are once we're two thirds of the way through the season.

"I really do believe that there aren't too many teams that are better than us in this league when we're at our best."

Stour will go to Astwood Bank on Saturday (noon start) without the absent Alex Bingham. However, it may be a good time to face their opponents due to the possible distraction of their National Village Cup clash with Fillongley a day later. Bank will be bidding to book a place in the quarter-finals of the competition this Sunday.

Against Handsworth, Stour just failed to bag the final wicket that would have handed them another win at the War Memorial Ground.

The hosts set 234 from their 55 overs with Jujhar Johal top scoring with 72 and Matthew Bradley unbeaten 62 proving another key contribution.

Stour then captured nine wickets for 201‎ with five overs left to take the 24 points. However, a late rescue operation came from Kenrick Smith (33) before he was eventually out to Jitesh Jivan - Patel.

But Doyle Pryce (16 not out) and Winston Lewis (1 not out) got the better of the cordon of close catchers to stave off defeat.

"It was difficult at times," added Banks. "Nothing favoured us and it felt like we were always up against it, but overall it's just more positive points.

"It would have been nice to get the final wicket but I'm not too fazed. The winning draw keeps us in the top two and we move on to another big game in good spirits."