HIMLEY must put the block on West Bromwich Dartmouth’s ‘matchwinners’ at Stourbridge Road on Saturday (noon).

That is the message from skipper Greg Wright as his side looks to halt a disappointing run of two successive defeats in the top flight of the Birmingham Premier League after winning their opening two matches.

Last weekend Shrewsbury were the only Premier Division side to reach 200, finishing on 209-7, thanks largely to what Wright described as a ‘disappointing performance with the ball’.

Rob Foster (63) and Ed Foster (53) and a cameo 27 from 25 balls by Anthony Parker took the game away from Himley who were then dismissed for 135 in reply, Nathan Round top scoring with 34. Occasional bowler Ed Foster picked up 3-13 and Steve Barnard (3 for 27) and Elliott Green (3 for 46) also contributed Wright said:

“It (being bowled out for 135) was fairly indicative of the situation we got ourselves in the first half of the game, the win/lose format and giving too many runs away.

“We won the toss and the wicket didn’t change all day but we just didn’t put them under pressure. We gave them 10 or 15 runs in the field through basic errors and didn’t bowl in the right areas. They did play and miss a lot but we bowled with too much width and that gave them the chance to hit out at the end in the powerplay.

“Then they bowled straighter than us and put us under more pressure. “We can’t look any further than ourselves, we need to improve to get back on track.

“We have some experienced guys back this week in Ben Smith (county duty) and Ashfak Hussain (injury) which is a boost, but we need to get the belief back and the confidence which inevitably goes when you’re not winning games.

“Confidence dips and we need to change that round, work hard, and get our focus back which we paid the price for on Saturday.

“We will work on that in the nets tomorrow and go into the game believing we can win it.”

Just one point separates Himley and Saturday’s opponents and Wright said: “West Bromwich Dartmouth are an interesting side, they have some real matchwinners and we will have to control them, keep them under pressure, because they will be a tough challenge and full of confidence after their win last week (by eight wickets at Wombourne).