Sentinel happy for their home comforts

Four of Sentinel’s opening six matches this term have been on their travels, which makes the third position they occupy in the table all the more impressive.

Sentinel were impressive six-wicket winners at Birmingham club Handsworth as they moved level on points with second-placed Astwood Bank, the team who head to north Shrewsbury on Saturday.

“It will be interesting and they look a fairly strong side,” said Ashlin. “With each game we’re playing, we’re going into the unknown a little bit, but it will be nice to be back at home because we’ve only had two out of six at home so far with four away.

“We’ve now got two home games which, on the back of a really good win at a tough place to go like Handsworth, we’re really looking forward to and performing at home.

“If we play good cricket, hopefully we can again get a positive result out of it.”

Astwood Bank are led by former Gloucestershire star Steve Adshead, who also had a spell playing for Shropshire earlier in his career.

Ashlin said: “I think he’s very influential and he’s a quality cricketer who has played first-class cricket. It’s great to be challenging ourselves against players like that. Hopefully we can come out on top.”

Ashlin stressed Sentinel face a welcome selection headache given the plethora of options at the club’s disposal.

He added: “I think pretty much everyone’s available so there will again be some decisions to make because the second team have done well the last couple of weeks with having a stronger team and people pushing for places.”

Table-topping Newport will be looking to stretch their their 15-point lead at the top of the table over Sentinel and Astwood Bank when they head to fifth-placed Stourbridge tomorrow.

Maisam Hasnain Jaffri’s century and six wickets from Shabbir Khan helped Newport to victory over Stratford-upon-Avon last weekend, while Stourbridge were losing at Worcester Nomads – the only side that have toppled Newport this season.