Powell leads from the front for Warwickshire

Michael Powell played the perfect captain's innings to boost Warwickshire Bears to a five-wicket win over Northamptonshire Steelbacks at Wantage Road. Powell hammered 78 from only 62 deliveries with a six and seven fours, and his stand of 128 in 20 overs with Dougie Brown (73) enabled the Bears to pass the hosts' 216-4 with five balls to spare.

The pair came together at 82-3 with the game in the balance, but a combination of skilful improvisation, urgent running between the wickets and the occasional meaty blow settled the issue and left Northants still without a Norwich Union League point this season in the wake of three defeats.

Only Mal Loye, with an entertaining 90 from 123 balls, came to terms with some accurate Warwickshire bowling in the early stages of the innings. Vasbert Drakes sent down 25 dot balls at the beginning of his stint before conceding a run.

Much-needed acceleration came from Alec Swann, with an unbeaten 37 off 21 balls including two big sixes, but it was still a below-par total on a good batting pitch.

Kevin Innes then removed Neil Smith and David Hemp to bring the Steelbacks into contention again, and when Dominic Ostler was stumped off Jason Brown the home side sensed an opportunity to turn the match around.

But it was to prove their last positive moment of the afternoon, at least until Powell and Brown went in successive overs at the end with the points all but in the bag.