CORVEDALE CC captain Ian Alderson admitted he fancies his side to win the league after they continued their unbeaten start with one of the biggest wins in the club’s history last weekend.

The Shropshire League Division Seven leaders smashed Cae Glas seconds by 286 runs after amassing a whopping 300-3 with the bat and then skittling their visitors for a paltry 14.

Corvedale have won five and drawn one of their nine matches, with the other three rained off, and Alderson believes their superb start has been down to the squad’s renewed appetite for the game.

He said: “Obviously there was no cricket last season – we didn’t get involved in the mini-league structure that was set up and just played three or four friendlies.

“But that lack of cricket galvanised interest this season – it could have gone one of two ways but everybody was very keen to play, everyone was bang on it from the first day of the season.

“I’ve got a lot stronger squad to pick from. Before I’ve been scratching around for a team, this year I have 14 or 15 players available.

“Having that many players available at the start and then winning the first couple of games really helped us as everybody realised we had a good side and a good chance of doing well.

“This Saturday is halfway through the season and I would be disappointed if we didn’t go on and win it from here but I’m not getting too ahead of myself as I’ve done a lot of losing in cricket!”

Adam Williams carried his bat for a superb 141, while Ross Mantle supported with 80 as Corvedale posted 300 before Harry Aldridge recorded career-best, unsurprisingly, figures of 7-2 with the ball.

“It was a complete performance,” added Alderson. “Everything just came together perfectly.

“It’s definitely the most comprehensive victory I’ve been involved in – I had a look back through the Corvedale Play Cricket records and the record books and I can’t find a more comprehensive win.”

In the Premier Division, Jason Oakes and Joe Williams shone as Ludlow stormed to an eight-wicket win at Allscott Heath.

Williams took 4-31 and Oakes 3-38 as the hosts were all out for 164, a target easily knocked off by Oakes (61no) and Luke Miles (50no) at 167-2.

In Division Four, Bishops Castle (147) beat Bridgnorth (144-8) by six wickets after a fine collective bowling effort was followed by Jonathan Price (56) and Richard Fifield (46) starring with the bat.

Cleobury Mortimer (321-7) remain top of Worcestershire League Division Seven after Ed Kemp’s 95 with the bat and 4-38 with the ball saw off Kidderminster fourths (209).

Tenbury (303-9) top Division Eight West after beating Bewdley thirds (122) by 181 runs while half-centuries from Matthew James (56) and Jack Kitchen (54) helped Knighton-on-Teme (168-7) draw at Moccas (202) in the Marches League.