HIMBLETON skipper Richard Pretty is confident his side have what it takes to secure victory against Worcestershire County League Division Three leaders Harborne on Saturday.
The Meadow Boys find themselves fourth-from-bottom and sit just 27 points above the relegation zone following their crushing 87-run loss to relegation-threatened Malvern at the weekend.
Winning the toss and electing to field, the Meadow Boys were left frustrated by Malvern’s opening batsmen Max White (49) and Anthony Arnold (73) who guided the visitors to 206 all out in the 46th over.
Paul Guy (3-34) and Jon Critchlow (3-46) took the lion’s share of the wickets for Himbleton whose reply was far from convincing.
A total collapse of Himbleton’s lower order saw the home side skittled out for just 119 in the 35th over with Critchlow (42) top scoring on a dismal afternoon for the Meadow Boys.
Pretty said: “The players were very disappointed with the result but I’m not concerned with our position in the table.
“We’ve got a strong enough squad but it’s just a matter of getting a consistent eleven out week in, week out.
“Once we get a full strength squad out in the middle, things will all come together but it’s that time of year where people are away on holiday but I’m not worried about relegation.
“Ideally we want to be in the top half of the table. Setting higher standards than that is unrealistic at this stage of the season.”
Ahead of their home clash against league leaders Harborne, Pretty is boosted by the return of in-form batsman Alistair Pretty and Jamie Alford.
The Meadow Boys are struggling for bowlers however as Sean Jenkins and Paul Guy are missing but skipper Pretty is confident they can claim victory.
“It’s going to be a really tough game at our place but we’ve got a strong enough squad to get the win and we have to go out there with that intention,” he added.
“We cannot be looking back at previous results, we have got to keep looking forward.
“We know the conditions at our ground and with small boundaries, we’re confident of defending a good score.
“Ideally we want to be reaching a score of 300 but taking into consideration Harborne’s attack, 250 would be just as good.”
Meanwhile, Himbleton Seconds will also be looking to put an end to their three-game losing streak tomorrow as they take on Division Four Second XI basement club Hanley Castle & Upton.
