BERKSWELL skipper Dominic Ostler knows just how important victory over reigning Birmingham League Premier Division champions Knowle & Dorridge will be this weekend.
The rivals lock horns at Meeting House Lane on Saturday with a big crowd expected to cheer on the high-flying sides.
Berkswell currently sit fifth in the table, just seven points behind second-placed K&D and a further six points behind leaders Shrewsbury.
However, Ostler’s team are the in-form side at the moment having not lost a game since May 12 when they were beaten by West Bromwich Dartmouth.
“We are full of confidence right now and playing some good cricket,” Ostler told the Observer.
“Saturday is going to be a really good affair and hopefully with the sunshine we shall have a big crowd in attendance.
“People have been telling me we have to get George Worker out as he’s the one scoring all the runs for K&D.
“But I know we will be alright and a win would be huge for us as it sets us up nicely for the rest of the season.”
Berkswell head into the huge clash on the back of Saturday’s winning draw against Kenilworth Wardens.
Invited to bat first, Berkswell lost opener Mohammed Ahmed (2) in the second over, but a second-wicket partnership of 91 between Danial Chaudhry (48) and Chris Whittock, followed by a partnership of 79 for the third wicket between Whittock (85) and Ateeq Javid (51), gave the home side a solid start.
With the loss of their fourth wicket at 207 in the 47th over, Berkswell’s remaining batsmen went for quick runs in the final overs, but lost wickets at regular intervals and the innings eventually closed in the 54th over with 235 runs on the scoreboard.
In reply Wardens lost wickets at regular intervals but a stubborn unbeaten 56 from Max Silvester guided the visitors to 139-7 from 50 overs to salvage a losing draw.
Tom Milnes (4-55) did the damage with the ball.
“It’s a shame we did not get the outright win but we were more than happy to come away with the 16 points as it kept us in contention at the top,” said Ostler.
