BATSMAN Tom Rawlings thinks Saturday’s home clash with Alveley will be a make-or-break afternoon in Tenbury Cricket Club’s season.

Tenbury remain bottom of the Worcestershire County League Division Three table after last weekend’s seven-wicket defeat at leaders Harborne 3rd.

Tenbury have only picked up one victory this term – an away success over Alveley in their first completed match of the campaign.

Tenbury are 29 points adrift of second-bottom Alveley and only a second victory over their rivals is likely give Aaron Morris’ men a realistic chance of avoiding the drop.

Rawlings said: “Saturday is a huge game against Alveley at home, whom we beat in our first played match of the season.”

Tenbury struggled with the bat in last weekend’s match against the table-toppers and were shot out for a below-par 126 in 42.5 overs on a picturesque ground in Birmingham.

Jon Pearson (34) led the way for Tenbury in a battling innings but the visitors struggled to score runs against an accurate home bowling attack.

Tom Gloster (25) and Rawlings (21) tried to repair the innings after a rash of early wickets but Dave Hunt (15) was the only other Tenbury batsman to reach double figures.

Mohammed Tausif, who claimed 5-59, was Harborne’s most successful bowler.

In reply, Gloster caused some damage with the ball, claiming 2-24, but Rob Powell (58 not out) steered the home side to the target.

Harborne reached their victory target in 23.4 overs.

Rawlings said: “We just didn’t get enough runs on Saturday, despite having a decent batting line-up and playing on a good pitch.

“We also shelled a few catches, which could have made it a different game if we’d got 180 or so on the board. “

“Zack Yarranton put in a great first spell for little reward, finding the edge several times but nothing going to hand,” said Rawlings.

There was also disappointment for Tenbury 2nd who posted 199-7 in Saturday’s five wicket home defeat against Himbleton 2nd in 2nd XI Division Four.

Meanwhile, Tenbury Cricket Club’s junior training sessions take place on Fridays at Penlu from 5.30pm to 6.45pm.

Rawlings said: “New players are very welcome to pop down to matches as well as training. We’re keen to get more people involved in both league cricket and in our Sunday fixtures.”