Skipper squares up to make-or-break trip to Great Preston
WETHERBY captain Andy Twitchen knows tomorrow's trip to Great Preston could make or break their season as their fight to stay in Division One begins to heat up.
Twitchen's side have struggled for early season form after a sticky start to their 2009 season, however with a full strength squad at his disposal he's feeling a lot more confident going into the crucial contest.
Preston are within touching distance in the table for Wetherby who are currently sitting in the last remaining relegation place.
A victory would close the gap on them and put significant pressure on their West Yorkshire rivals and Twitchen is looking to do just that.
"It's a really important game," he said.
"If we don't win on Saturday then I think it will be between us and Kirk Deighton which we don't want. We want to win and drag Preston back into it.
"It really is such a big game for us but I think on Saturday for the first time I'll have my strongest side available. We're back up to full strength and we've got to stay positive.
"We can go to Preston and win I'm sure."
On Saturday Wetherby struggled against a strong St Chad's bowling line-up with Twitchen's side skittled for 129. Their opponents pulled through by six wickets in reply.
"I don't want to put it down to the toss but that was key," added Twitchen.
"The wicket was still a bit wet and then it dried up in the second half. But 129 was never going to be enough, something around 150 would have been defendable.
"But St Chad's are a really good bowling team and they deserved it."
On Sunday Wetherby received a welcome boost in the Fred Fleetwood Cup when their opponents Bramhope couldn't raise a side with Twitchen's side awarded the contest and passage into the next round.
KIRK DEIGHTON captain Richard Ward has praised his side for their battling display over the weekend and challenged them to go one better tomorrow at home to SICKLIINGHALL.
Deighton lost their battle against league leaders Scarcroft on Saturday by 19 runs despite a spirited display with the bat by Ward's side all out for 175 chasing their 194 target.
Now he's focusing on Steve Fisher's 'Hall outfit with league points and a possible surge up the table at stake.
"It's a game I always look forward to," said Ward.
"We know a lot of their players. Andy Wood is a big player for them and we'll be looking to get him out early, I play with him on a Wednesday so I know all about him.
"It's an important game for us. We'll be keeping an eye on the Wetherby v Great Preston game because they're down there with us."
On Sunday Deighton were knocked out of the Fred Fleetwood after being bowled out for 94 by Division Two outfit Oulton.
They fought back in response taking six wickets but their opponents eventually pulled through to move into the next round of the competition.
'Hall chief Fisher is also looking forward to the contest as he too eyes another positive victory to pull them further up the table and away from the danger zone.
'Hall put in their best performance of the season according to their captain last week with their first home victory of the season against Barwick.
The result has filled them with confidence before their Deighton showdown but Fisher is staying wary especially with Deighton battling for points too at the bottom.
"Saturday was our best performance of the season," he said.
"It was an all-round performance and hopefully we can carry that on this week. It was good to get a win at home under our belts too, that was a monkey off our backs.
"We're feeling a lot more positive now and we're looking up rather than looking down."
On Sunday however with a weakened team they were beaten by St Chad's in the Fred Fleetwood Cup. Their opponents made a competitive 225-7 before 'Hall posted 159 all out in response.
At the top end of the table SCARCROFT skipper Damian Aston has challenged his side to maintain their form as they look to pull further clear of the chasing pack.
Aston's side made significant strides towards the title on Saturday with victory over Kirk Deighton and SPOFFORTH losing to WALTON and Old Mods slipping to defeat against SHADWELL.
The welcome results for Scarcroft have given them a cushion at the top of the tree but Aston knows his side simply cannot afford a slip-up tomorrow.
They travel to Old Mods just six days after their Fred Fleetwood Cup defeat to the same side.
"It will be nice to get one up on them especially after they beat us in the cup," said Aston.
"But they beat us fair and square then so we're just looking to bounce back. We're back to full strength and it will be an important game for us."
Simon Taylor's Spoff' side will seek an immediate comeback away at Barwick tomorrow, Walton welcome St Chads on the back of their Spofforth victory and Shadwell entertain CHURCH FENTON in a repeat of their Fred Fleetwood cup clash last Sunday which Shad' won by 133 runs.
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Weather for Wetherby
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -9 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to -1 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
