CAPTAIN Matt Bradley says Stourbridge’s more experienced players have to step up and help the club through a difficult period.

Stour are still without a win from eight games this season and sit bottom of Division Two of the Birmingham and District Premier League.

Their poor form continued as they slipped to a narrow two-wicket defeat against Shifnal at the War Memorial Ground last Saturday.

Skipper Bradley admits the onus is on himself and the likes of brother Richard, Josh Banks and Alex Bingham to help the side’s youngsters through the tough time.

He said: “I think we are struggling for confidence as a group but think it could all change very quickly once we get that first win.

“It’s up to the club’s more experienced players and our strong characters to help us.

“I need to make sure we are all pulling in the right direction as well.”

Stour were left to rue a narrow defeat against Shifnal after being bowled out for 87 in the 47th over.

It was no surprise that visiting skipper Tom Collins put the home side in on a grassy pitch likely to prove problematic. The challenge was on for Stour batsmen to muster up at least 120 runs to stand any chance of picking up a first victory of the season.

Shifnal opening bowlers used the conditions to their advantage by restricting Bingham and Harshad Patel from scoring freely.

Bingham reached nine runs off 28 balls when he was caught at mid-off driving a full delivery from pace man David Woollatt. His wicket opened up the flood gates, Ryan Klein taking the wickets of Zain Ul Hassan and Tarryck Gariel, both out without scoring.

The excitable Shifnal side not only celebrated the opposition scoreline 14-3 but also seeing the back of Gabriel, Stour’s overseas player capable of a speedy rescue.

A staunch innings from opener Harshad Patel was ended by first change bowler Jack Edwards.

A more productive vigil came from the Matt Bradley who made 38 off 83 balls. Stour’s tail folded cheaply once he was caught out on the off-side boundary.

In reply, Steve Leach and Charlie Home took Shifnal’s score to 21 when 15-year-old Zain Ul Hassan had Leach smartly caught at square leg for 16.

Nabeel Ali then bagged a five-wicket haul as the visitors stuttered. However, Collins and David Woollatt survived to get their team to victory.

“We put them under pressure with the ball but just didn’t have enough runs on the board,” added Bradley.

“Our aim has to be getting our whole game together. We need both batting and bowling to be firing at the same time.”

Stour will look to breathe life into their season when they go to Old Elizabethans this Saturday (noon).