Revenge no motivation for Oldswinford skipper

The two sides meet for the first time this season in Worcester League Division One with both in good form following their promotions last term.

On that occasion it was Pedmore who finished as champions, while Oldswinford had to settle for second.

But it is the latter who have got off to the faster start this time around and they now sit fourth, though Perks does not believe the memories of last September will have any influence this weekend.

He said: “Obviously it’s a derby and it’s nice to beat them but I would not say revenge comes into it.

“We are focused on what we are doing and we want to get as high as we can.

“If we get the win on Saturday we then face Stourbridge the following week and will really have the chance to get up there.

“Either way it should be a great game as both sides are in good form.

“They are a good team and they just had a slow start but are starting to pick up.

“Likewise we have got some of our big players back and can now name a strong side.”

Perks’ side had to be at their very best to grab a dramatic win at Droitwich last weekend.

In a game reduced to 47 overs because of rain, Oldswinford made 224-7 thanks in large part to an excellent 107 not out from Anthony Brewer.

Further rain reduced the hosts’ innings to 26 overs, giving them the advantage as a revised score left them needing 125 to gain the winning draw.

But superb bowling from Daud Islam (5-25) and Seb Soucup (4-37) gave Oldswinford the victory as they dismissed the hosts for just 120 in the final over.

Perks admits positive results in their back-to-back derby fixtures will only fuel rising expectations at Albermarle Road.

He added: “At the start of the season we were expecting to be in mid-table but if we can pick up good results in the next couple of weeks we will start setting our sights higher.

“It’s been pleasing so far how everyone has been in the runs and and on its day our bowling attack is one of the best in the league.”