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Division 2 West

SIMON Hole says Shipton-under-Wychwood’s batsmen must raise their game if they are to pull clear of the relegation zone.

Shipton, who are ninth, host Harefield, with Steve Bates, Graham Newhook and George Seacole replacing Tim Senior, Jason Hunt and Olly Clayfield.

“We have not really performed with the bat in the last three or four games,” said captain Hole, whose side last won on May 26.

“The batsmen need to pull their fingers out. We need to start winning.

“We beat them earlier in the season, so fingers’ crossed we can do it again.”

Eighth-placed Thame Town have named an unchanged side for their trip to basement boys Farnham Royal.

“There is no denying it is a pretty big game,“ said captain Mike Higgs.

“We need to beat them really because if we don’t, it will bring them back into the pack as well.”

Thame were all out for 71 in last week’s defeat to Slough, which Higgs put down to a number of factors.

He added: “We have just got to move on from it.

“Farnham Royal are not going to be the same quality of side as Slough were.”

Durham University wicket-keeper/batsman Josh Smith replaces Adam Cossins in the Aston Rowant side for the trip to Cove.

Should Rowant win, they will be guaranteed at least second spot in the table.

Skipper Wesley Morrick said his opposite number Chris Benham was Cove’s dangerman.

But Morrick stressed: “I think we should beat them. I reckon I can find them out.”

Aston Rowant (v Cove, away): Morgan, Watling, Ferraby, Cook, Penhale, Smith, Tolson, Morrick (capt), Muttit, Leaney, Carlton.

Thame Town (v Farnham Royal, away): Rathod, Neilson, Higgs (capt), P Patel, Barnett, Jivrajani, Parmar, Lachlan, S Patel, Desai, Rooney.

Shipton-under-Wychwood (v Harefield, home): R Barrett, Cha Brain, Hole (capt), Bates, J Barrett, Wood, Seacole, Chr Brain, Miller, Gurney, G Nerwhook.