Shifnal aiming to consolidate their lead at the top

A 61-run victory saw Shifnal replace the Black Country club at the top of Division One but Collins acknowledges it will count for little if they fail to back it up against Leamington, who are struggling at the wrong end of the table.

“We have talked about how we need to keep our foot on the gas,” said Collins. “There is no point beating top of the league if you then go and lose elsewhere.

“We know from last season there are plenty of points to be won in the 55-over format. It is probably our best format and we want to build some momentum.”

Wicketkeeper Anthony Parker is unavailable for the trip to Warwickshire so Chris Murrall will take the gloves, with Joe Chadwick drafted into the first XI. Leamington are just one place off the bottom having lost four of their opening six games but Collins knows his team can take little for granted in a division which remains tight, with just 24 points covering the top seven at present.

“There are a number of teams who will be fancying their chances this season,” he said. “Last week was massive for us after a couple of disappointing results over the past month. To win so convincingly was huge.

“But we won’t be getting ahead of ourselves. Leamington have struggled a bit but they have some good players and we will go there expecting a tough game.”

For both Bridgnorth and Wellington, the onus is on bouncing back from heavy defeats and pulling away from the wrong end of the table.

Bridgnorth, who were bowled out for just 77 as they slid to a 212-run defeat at home to Moseley, go to fifth-placed Himley.

They will be boosted by the return of Worcestershire’s Charlie Morris following several weeks out with an ankle injury. Skipper Sam Whitney is also back after missing the Moseley defeat and believes it is time for the club’s experienced players to stand up and be counted.

“We have had a couple of youngsters who have come in and done well but now we need the older heads to step up,” he said.

“Nobody has really scored a big total with the bat yet and that is what we need. The bowling attack is one which can contain the opposition but we need to get the runs on the board to help them out.

“Charlie coming back is big for us. We are not sure at this stage how much he will be able to bowl but just to have him in and around the team will give people a boost.”

Bridgnorth sit ninth in the table, one place ahead of Wellington, for whom batting has also been the key bugbear in consecutive defeats.

Dan Ashton is set to be drafted into the bowling attack for their trip to Moseley.

Cricket chairman Simon Topper said: “We need to bat a bit better than we have done the last couple of weeks, that is pretty much the message.

“The bowling attack, by and large, has done well. We did well to restrict Bromsgrove to just 228 last weekend on a decent pitch but were then unable to follow it was our turn to bat.

“It’s been disappointing. We had a pretty good start to the season but the last couple of results have taken the gloss off.”