Braddock: Next two games are key

Lichfield captain Adam Braddock believes the next two games will determine the fate of their season.

Braddock's men, currently sixth in division three, take on 10th-placed Kington this Saturday, before facing Bridgnorth the following week.

The skipper led by example with 58 in last weekend's draw with Kington as his team ended three-game losing streak. He admits wins are needed fast.

He said: "The next two are real big games for us because they are against teams below us in the league.

"Any team that wins two or three will be moving upwards. If you lose two or three you will get dragged into the relegation battle.

Fordhouses skipper Russell Thompson is keen to take advantage of the fixture list's generosity over the forthcoming month, starting against Whitchurch on Saturday.

Four of their next five games will be played at home with Wombourne, Bridgnorth and Studley all due to visit between now and the middle of August.

He said: "We have four of the next five games at home now and we are quite strong at home.

"A couple of wins and we will start climbing but it is getting those wins on the trot."

Wombourne skipper Liam Hughes believes the strength in depth of his squad will give them a big advantage over their rivals in the holiday season.

Hughes's team did him proud in his absence in last weekend's top-of-the-table clash against Olton & West Warwickshire.

Having been bowled out for 128 their rivals looked odds on for victory at 114-5 but five late wickets for just six runs put paid to that, as they claimed a seven-run win.

Hughes returns this weekend against Oswestry but the leaders will be without vice-captain Carl Quiney and brother Dale.

He said: "At this time of year people tend to go on their holidays. I think almost all the teams will be in the same boat, but we are not massively worried,"

"A lot of teams have one or two players who they rely on, we probably have six, seven, eight."

Division two title hopefuls Penn travel to bottom side Aston Unity on Saturday as red-hot favourites, as they bid to bounce back from last weekend's disappointment.

Richard Bradford's men slipped to third, following a two-wicket defeat to Berkswell in their top-of-the-table clash.

Not only did they lose their place at the summit, but they now trail the new leaders by 16 points and are 12 off second-placed Smethwick.

Smethiwck skipper David Banks is looking for his side to put a good run of form together to keep up with the pacesetters.

Second-placed Smethwich travel to Old Elizabethans this weekend four points behind Berkswell after victory over Tamworth.

But they are set to be without opener Mohammed Abib who is away on holiday.

Banks revealed Cameron Zaman is on standby to step up from the second team to replace him.

He said: "We re going all right. If we can maintain our levels of consistency then we will be ok. I would just like to see us put a run together."