THE Whitchurch cricket chairman believes his club is starting to show its strength in depth after both teams won on Saturday.

The club’s first XI thrashed Bomere Heath on their travels while the second XI picked up a crucial win at home to Beacon’s second XI as the mood continues to lift at Heath Road.

Cricket chairman Iain Marsh was delighted with the two performances as Whitchurch moved into the top five and he is targeting climbing the table, especially with home games to come.

“Saturday’s 20 points gives us hope we can now push further into the top four during the second half of the season,” he said.

“Saturday sees us play the first of seven home games out of the last 12 league games. We feel the squad of 16/17 players now gives us great competition for places in the first team. It also helps the second team as both Ed Watson Jones, with 148 not out and Eddie Lewis with 30 put on 120 for the first wicket against Beacon after playing at Wem the week before.”

With much of the top six set to play each other this weekend and the format having changed to win or lose, with overs instead of timed cricket, Marsh is hoping that his club can do all they can to take advantage and put pressure on the teams above them.

He added: “I really was very pleased with the 20 points we picked up on Saturday.

“I’m looking forward to two home games in a row after only playing two home games in this season because of the weather.

“Saturday’s win sets us up nicely as all the top six play each other this weekend so with win/lose games the points totals could look a lot different come Saturday night.”

n Wellington will visit Heath Road on Saturday at 12pm start while the second XI will travel to Alberbury.