WES Griffiths sees no reason why Halesowen CC can’t challenge for promotion this season.

The Seth Somers Park side are sixth in Birmingham League Division Two after four games.

But with consistency seemingly out of reach for everyone in the division at present, they are only nine points off the top ahead of bottom side Evesham’s visit this Saturday.

Skipper Griffiths says results across the board so far have been “strange” and believes the promotion race will be wide open.

He said: “I don’t think there is a stand-out team and I can’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be in the mix at the end of the season.

“Nobody can put together a consistent run, most of the teams who won last week had lost the week before.

“We are still there or thereabouts.

“When we finally do hit our straps I’m looking forward to what we can do.”

Griffiths believes his side put in their most complete performance so far this season as they claimed a winning draw at Fordhouses last weekend.

The skipper’s bold decision to bat first paid off as opener Hassan Qaumi struck 66 to anchor an innings of 212-7 from 45 overs, with several other batsmen making solid contributions.

Matt Jeavons then took 3-44 as the hosts were restricted to 162-6, with Andy Roberts also claiming two victims.

Griffiths added: “I felt Saturday was our first real team effort and it was good for everyone to make a contribution.

“We are definitely getting stronger game by game and there are plenty of positive signs going forward.

“I certainly don’t feel we are anywhere near our best but if I had been offered this position after four games at the start of the season I would have taken it, particularly when you consider how scrappy some of the games have been.”

Halesowen have no major injury concerns ahead of this weekend’s game, though Shafiq Ahmed is pushing for inclusion after scoring a century for the seconds.

Coombs Wood suffered a 120-run defeat to Droitwich Spa in Worcestershire League Division One.

Mosin Khan proved the only resistance as he struck an unbeaten 60 as Wood failed to chase down a total of 230.

There was better news for the seconds, who remain unbeaten following a winning draw against Droitwich.