High-flying Whitchurch will be looking to preserve pole position in the Birmingham Cricket League division two in tomorrow’s big trip to second placed Old Elizabethans.
It starts a run of important fixtures for the north Shropshire side, who have made a flying start to the campaign following last season’s promotion from the third division.
Despite their losing draw with lowly county rivals St Georges at Heath Road last week, skipper Simon Bowen believes his side are still in good shape for the top of the table showdown.
“It was slightly disappointing last week, but we’re still seven points clear at the top of the table which we’d certainly have taken at the start of the season,” he said.
“St Georges deserved the lion’s share of the points (15-9), but we didn’t play that badly. The run out of Richard Oliver was key, we got a bit stuck after that.
“But we won’t dwell on it as we’ve now got some tough games coming up, and Saturday’s match is a big one because Old Elizabethans can go above us if they win.”
Elliott Bowen keeps his place after hitting 31 last Saturday, while Simon Dimelow returns in place of Dave Weaver.
Electing to bat first, St Georges posted 231-9, Amjaad Ali Khan continuing his good form with the ball in taking 5-35.
Whitchurch threatened to chase down the target in reply, but lost wickets at crucial times including the run out of Oliver for 39.
Ian Gregory batted well in making 64 and Elliott Bowen provided some impetus but in the end the run rate proved too much as the Heath Road men finished on 214-9 in their 55 overs.
WHITCHURCH II remained in range of the leaders in reserve division three as they eased to a 186-run victory over Coleshill II.
Openers Ed Watson-Jones (94) and Andrew Ince (92) narrowly missed out on centuries as they set their side well on the way to a formidable 291-4 declared in 45 overs, Dimelow maintaining the momentum with 41no and Scott Parry unbeaten on 40.
Coleshill were then skittled for just 106 in reply, Mark Tooze (3-48), Matthew Fowles (3-16) and James Wojda (2-20) the principal wicket takers.
Victory leaves Whitchurch in fourth spot and they will be looking for more of the same at home to mid-table Pershore on Saturday.
By John Bridgwater