Hopeful signs for strugglers

Relegation battlers enter the run-in buoyed by better performances

FALKLAND and Thatcham go into their final four games of the season buoyed by better performances as they bid to escape relegation.

Falkland lost to second in the table Tring Park at the weekend, but their showing has left skipper George Trewby more hopeful that they can yet escape the drop from the top division of the Home Counties Premier League.

"We showed that we are prepared to battle," he said, "and that is what we need. We are up for the battle."

Falkland go to league leaders High Wycombe on Saturday, but then have back-to-back home games against Radlett and Welwyn Garden City, the two teams immediately above them in the table.

Falkland go to Wycombe without Hampshire's Hamza Riazuddin, who is on CB40 duty against Scotland in Aberdeen, but Jim Ettridge, Bruce Martin and James Morris all return from injury as they chase important points.

THATCHAM skipper Rob Fraser was "disappointed, but encouraged" by his side's home defeat at the hands of Thames Valley League leaders Cove that leaves his side 38 points adrift of safety.

"We will probably have to win all four of our remaining games now," he said, "and then hope that some other results go our way.

"But if we can keep playing like this, we can go to Finchampstead on Saturday and win there and still have a chance."

Thatcham will be without Jamie Young, Jack Young and Andy Rishton, with Chris Rochford taking over behind the stumps and young bowler Tom Mahoney stepping in.

Division Three A leaders NEWBURY take their 11-point lead to third-placed Chiswick and Latymer as they go into their title run-in.