PEDMORE skipper Stuart Bate is predicting an exciting clash with Oldswinford on Saturday and expects his players to be up for it.

Bate’s side are on a run of three positive results which has seen them break away from the wrong end of the table, culminating in last weekend’s thumping win over Bewdley.

Oldswinford are also in fine form and while Bate says his side will not prepare any differently for Saturday’s game, he says the derby atmosphere will add a little extra spice.

He said: “We are looking forward to it, it’s a local derby so a lot of the players know each other.

“That means there is always a bit more desire to get the win.

“But the bottom line for us is that it’s another game against good quality opposition and we need to prepare for it as we would any other.

“We need to be worrying about our own game.

“I’m expecting a really good encounter, they seem to have been playing some really good cricket, I know they have picked up a couple of good lads, as have we.

“I don’t think either side has anything to worry about in terms of competing in this division and it’s all set up nicely.”

The 167 run success at Bewdley was actually Pedmore’s first full win of the campaign, coming on the back of two winning draws.

Danny McDonnell followed up his superb double century the previous week against Romsley with a knock of 94, while Paul Pickering got an unbeaten 57 in Pedmore’s total of 313-3.

The visitors then totally dominated with the ball, Nitin Malhotra taking 4-43 and Jonathan Heardman enjoying a three wicket cameo as the hosts were skittled out for 146.

Bate said getting the win had given his side a big psychological boost.

He added: “It was a very, very satisfying result.

“We have been batting very well in the last three games since we lost to Stourbridge and it’s a help to chalk the first win up, it takes some of the pressure off and we are moving up.

“Danny McDonnell is in exceptional form at the moment which is great for us.

“Cricket can be a very cruel game at times so when you hit a run of form like he has, you have to enjoy it.”