STUART Wedge believes a testing trip to Walsall this Saturday could help Himley get back on track.

The Stourbridge Road side are recovering from their first setback of the Birmingham League campaign, a crushing 85-run home defeat to Berkswell.

Himley were skittled out for 60 after restricting the visitors to 145.

Wedge is expecting one of the toughest games of the season at Walsall but believes it could be exactly what his side require.

He said: “We know we will have to be at our best to get anything out of the game. We don’t have any time to feel sorry for ourselves.

“Walsall are one of the toughest sides in the division, especially at their ground. They have got good players who are capable of taking the game away from you.”

Mike Jones took 6-54 as Himley’s bowling attack sparkled against Berkswell despite a patient 42 from visiting skipper Dominic Ostler which helped his side post 145.

But Himley would have fancied there chances at the break.

However, their run chase never got going.

In-form opener Greg Wright was trapped lbw first ball and they never recovered, with Nathan Round’s innings of 12 from 46 balls the top score.

Wedge admitted the batsmen had experienced a bad day but said it was important they did not dwell on the performance.

He said: “We had a bit of a chat in the dressing room after the game but it didn’t get too deep.

“We didn’t dwell on things too much or think too much about how we can put it right. We have a lot of experienced players and they know what they have to do.

“It didn’t need me going in there ranting and raving. That would not have helped at all.

“It’s not as if we turned up for the game and were not up for it. Our bowling performance was excellent.”

Netherton are still looking for their first win in Division Two of the Worcestershire League, after they fell to a 60-run defeat at Bewdley.

Having won the toss and putting the hosts in, Netherton’s attack were able to restrict all the Bewdley batsmen except Robbie Coombes, whose innings of 90 proved the backbone to his side’s total of 168.

Netherton’s reply was in trouble from the start as the top three of Russell Oseland, Mark Buttery and Simon Oseland only managed to contribute one run between them.

From 58-6, some lower order hitting from Darren Hall (27) helped the visitors to 108 all out. David Jones took 4-16 for the hosts.