HIMLEY CC head into Saturday’s away game at Kenilworth Wardens hoping to stay among the Birmingham Premier League pacesetters.

A superb innings of 150 from just 132 balls from Indian all-rounder TP Singh helped the Stourbridge Road side to a winning draw against Shrewsbury last weekend.

The result saw Himley jump to fourth in the table, just 11 points behind leaders Knowle and Dorridge.

Skipper Greg Wright is delighted his side have avoided their almost traditional slow start, which has hampered recent seasons.

He said: “It’s nice to be among the frontrunners at this stage.

“So often we have made slow starts and then had to spend the rest of the season playing catch up.

“It’s a good position to be at in what is a very competitive league this year.

“You can see that from just how congested the top half of the table is.

“Every game is a battle and we will expect no different at Kenilworth. It’s always close there.”

Singh’s innings, which included 18 fours and four sixes, meant Himley were always in command of the game after being asked to bat first.

Harshad Patel hit 73 from 108 balls in a mammoth 206 run second wicket partnership. Himley’s next highest score was Shafiq Ahmed’s 19 not out.

Tim Heap then removed both Shrewsbury openers as Himley looked to take maximum points.

Chris Tranter took 3-33 as the visitors were reduced to 184-8 but Paul Donaldson (29 not out) and Mike Barnard (19 not out) steered them to 227-8 at the close.

Wright added: “We decided not to declare as it can always be dangerous at this time of the season, plus there was always the chance of getting two extra points if they didn’t get to 80 per cent of the score.

“I think we knew our score was above par.

“They really went for it at the start and we had to knuckle down to get the wickets. Once they started playing for the draw it was always going to be difficult but to dominate against such a good team was really fantastic.

He added: “TP’s innings was superb, he scored at such a rate it took the game away from them.

“I cannot praise him highly enough.”

“There are still a few players, like myself, who are struggling a bit so we have plenty in reserve.”

"Things are building up pretty well.”