RICHARD Bradley believes Stourbridge are going up against the league’s form team at Tamworth on Saturday.

Third-placed Stour take on the fourth-placed hosts with both sides still hopeful of gatecrashing the top two and gaining promotion from Birmingham League Division Three.

Bradley’s side face league-leaders Oswestry seven days later but the skipper believes the Tamworth clash is probably the bigger game.

He said: “I think Oswestry are going to win the league whatever the rest of us do.

“They aren’t out of site but the general feeling is they have the strongest side and it’s between us Tamworth and Penkridge for who goes up with them.

“Tamworth are probably the league’s in-form side at the moment.

“At the moment we have a slight advantage over them in the standings and if we can come away on Saturday still in front, it will give us a big boost.”

Stour beat the weather to enjoy a comfortable seven-wicket home win over struggling Lichfield last weekend.

Kalpesh Patel continued his excellent form with the ball, taking four wickets as the visitors were bowled out for just 166 in 53.5 overs. Overseas player Audy Alexander also did plenty of damage with three scalps of his own.

All-rounder Alexander is having a fine season and contributed the bulk of the runs in Stour’s chase with an unbeaten 87.

The only danger to victory came from a heavy rain shower with 32 still required. But the showers quickly moved away allowing the hosts to clinch victory inside 35 overs.

Bradley believes the experience his side gained last year, when they clinched the Worcester League title, may prove vital during the run-in.

He said: “We only had one spot to go for last year and we held our nerve.

“Penkridge won the Staffordshire League so we know they have it in their locker.

“But to be where we are is a huge bonus. We went into the season with the aim of staying up so there really is nothing to lose.”

Ben Mantom is likely to deputise for the absent David Jones against Tamworth, while Josh Banks remains out through injury.