Penn skipper Vikul Lal excited over new challenge

Penn skipper Vikul Lal believes new opposition allows his side to concentrate on their own form as they look to continue their impressive start to life in the Staffs Clubs Premier Division, writes Lewis Cox.

Penn host Hammerwich on Saturday as second meets third, a club not familiar to Lal, but the experienced captain insists it can pose as a handy tool to spur his side on.

He said: "It's a little early to take the table into consideration but we can see they're a strong side, they've started well and are in good form.

"But with us dropping down last year it's a new experience, we don't know much about our opposition but it allows us to kick on and focus on ourselves.

"We know that if we play to our level we will win more matches than we lose, so we're confident."

Penn ran out comfortable winners against Penkridge on Saturday, Lal heaped the praise on his bowlers.

"We haven't had to be reliant on one player this season, which bodes very well," he said.

"Haider (Pervaiz, 5-36) took five wickets last week, so we were very pleased for him, he's just coming back from an injury.

"Hopefully it'll really spur him to kick-on, he's a young lad and we've always known he's had this kind of potential."

Whittington skipper Steve Kelly is grateful for the village sun as increase in temperature has aided young South African Juan-Jacques Strydom settle into Staffs Clubs Premier Division life.

The 18-year-old big hitter smashed a remarkable century as his side eased to a comprehensive 288-5 victory over Springvale. They face a Saturday trip to table-topping Beacon.

Kelly said: "He's come for his first season from South Africa and he was struggling for the climate for the first couple of weeks. It was a bit cold for him!

"But he's got used to it, we've been speaking to him about how to improve his hitting, about judging the field and looking where you are going to play.

"He took it on board and his century was measured brilliantly."

Cannock skipper Will Fleet believes home comforts are key as his side look to turn their 'good' start to the campaign into a great one.

Last season's runners-up got back on track with a comfortable victory against basement-side Wednesbury last weekend, but face a different test this weekend at newly-promoted Springvale.

But Fleet believes the Church Lane form is priority. "We were unbeaten at home all season and lost on the opening day, so it was a bit of a kick," he said.

"That's two home wins on the bounce now and it's a good feel to be winning back at home, it's very important to how we perform this season.

"Springvale trip will be tough, there's only so much you can read about them but we want to start setting a marker and putting pressure on Beacon (leaders) and letting them know we will be fighting."