Town expect to step up their title challenge at whipping boys

Cricket - Peterborough are second at the half-way stage

Peterborough Town are content with a second-placed position at the halfway stage of the Northants Premier Division title race.

But captain David Clarke is expecting a big push for pole position to start with a maximum-points haul from their next two fixtures.

Town follow Saturday’s trip to top-flight whipping boys Wollaston with a home game against struggling Stony Stratford (July 15).

Forty points is Town’s target before they face an awkward set of fixtures starting at much-improved Oundle on July 22.

“We will definitely be targeting 40 points in the next two games,” Clarke stated. “If we play to our best in both games it shouldn’t be beyond us.

“Wollaston have struggled all season, while Stony don’t usually enjoy games at our place and two big wins would set us up nicely for a much tougher run of fixtures. Alex Mitchell top scored with 75 for Peterborough Town at Geddington.

“We had a little blip, but we’ve started to look a strong side again. Second place is ok at half-time, but we are within touching distance of top spot which is where we want to be.”

Opening bowler Jamie Smith is missing this weekend, but Town are hopeful former Leicestershire Academy player David Sayer will return after a lengthy absence because of injury.

Regular second-team opening bowler Farhan Adil has been added to the squad as a precaution.

Town are three points behind leaders Rushton who have a tough game against Finedon on Saturday.

Oundle, who host Brixworth on Saturday, are third 11 points further back after beating Horton House last weekend.

A report on Peterborough Town’s Northants T20 clash with Oundle last night (Wednesday) is on www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk.

The Jaidka Cup Final between Peterborough Town and Bourne has been scheduled for Friday, July 14 at Bretton Gate. (1pm) Division One - AK 11 v Burghley Park, Hampton v Ramsey 2nds, Orton Park v Stamford, Waresley 2nds v Newborough. (1pm) Division Two - Alconbury v Bharat Sports, Buckden v Barnack, Nassington 2nds v Houghton & Wyton, Peterborough Town 3rds v Ickwell.

(1pm) Division Three - Burghley Park 2nds v Falcon, Huntingdon 2nds v Sawtry.

(1pm) Division Four - Blunham 3rds v Bretton, Hemingford Park v Ketton 2nds, Ickwell 2nds v Newborough 2nds, Kimbolton 2nds v Castor 2nds, King’s Keys v Brampton, Werrington v Little Paxton.

Sunday, July 9 Unicorns Trophy

Lincolnshire (1pm) Division One - Barnack v Ketton, Bourne v Peterborough Town, Grantham v Stamford, Market Deeping v Wisbech, Nassington v Oundle.

(1pm) Division Two - Burghley Park v Whittlesey, Newborough v Weldon, Uffington v Castor, Ufford Park v March, Uppingham v King’s Keys.

(1pm) Division Three East - Alconbury v Long Sutton, Hampton v Ramsey, Market Overton v Nassington 2nds.

(1pm) Division Three West - Easton on the Hill v Loddington.

(1pm) Division Four East - Castor 2nds v Uffington 2nds, Spalding v M Deeping 2nds. (1pm) Division Four West - Benefield v Hampton 2nds, Peterborough Town 2nds v Huntingdon, Sawtry v Barton Seagrave. (1pm) Division Five - Sheikh v Addida.

Monday, July 10 -

(6.15pm) Stamford KO Shield Final - Bourne v Ketton or King’s Keys (at Market Deeping).