STUART Wedge believes Himley have the mental strength to cope as the Birmingham League title race intensifies.

Second placed Himley are preparing for a huge Bank Holiday double bill which sees them host fourth placed Wellington on Saturday, before a much-anticipated visit to longtime leaders Barnt Green on Monday.

Though the results may not prove decisive, the weekend represents a chance for the title contenders to put themselves in the best possible position for the final run-in.

Wedge is backing his players to show the same character as 12 months ago, when a then relegation-threatened Himley turned their fortunes around over the Summer Bank Holiday and went on to finish fourth in the table.

He said: “Our guys have got real character and that’s why I’m pretty positive about the end to the season.

“Last year our backs were against the wall and relegation was in the air but the lads refused to be knocked down and came out fighting.

“It’s pretty much the same team this time around.

“I have faith that when things get tough someone will pick up the wicket we need, or hold on to a catch, because I’ve seen them do it before. Everybody is going to be really up for it.

“We have guys on the team who have experience of winning titles and championships, they know how to deal with the pressure.”

Wedge’s side head into the weekend 16 points behind the leaders after both teams had to settle for losing draws on Saturday.

Himley were involved in a thrilling encounter with Walsall which featured a fine century from visiting batsman Jack Manuel. The game ebbed and flowed, with Walsall at one stage reduced to 164-7 after Manuel’s heroics before recovering to post 290-8.

Opener Greg Wright then scored 81 to get Himley’s reply off to a good start and they looked strong at 200-3 before a mini collapse saw them finish on 268-9.

With Green also slipping up, the result could be seen as a missed opportunity to close the gap but Wedge refused to be downbeat.

He said: “It’s always frustrating when the game is as close as 22 runs but given the circumstances we did well to put ourselves in with a chance of winning the game.

“Most of our batsman made a start and it maybe just needed one of us to go on and make a few more.

“It was a great game to play in - certainly one of the best I’ve played in for some time.”