WALSHAW captain Mikey Watt has urged his players to go out and enjoy their cricket after a mixed start to the season in the GMCL’s Division One A.

The Sycamore Road side have won four and lost four from their nine matches so far and sit mid-table.

Watt admits promotion was their winter aim, and he has not yet ruled out a late charge. But the wicketkeeper does not want that to be his side’s primary focus.

Walshaw’s fourth win came on Saturday at home to Brooksbottom, with rain playing its part.

Watt’s side posted 236-3 from 42.2 overs before the visitors chased a revised target on Duckworth Lewis Stern of 187 from 31. They were bowled out for 142.

“It’s been inconsistent,” said the skipper of their early summer form.

“There have been two or three games where we’ve not been on it, and at this standard you’re going to get beat. You have to be on it every week, especially playing against teams who we haven’t played against before.

“But hopefully we’re back on it now.

“We have another home game against Heyside on Saturday and are aiming to put a run together.

“We looked at the squad we had at the start of the season and promotion was the aim.

“We put a lot of pressure on ourselves with regards to that, and when one loss comes you’re constantly on the back foot. You then try to fight for the next win, and sometimes you can go away from your disciplines as a result.

“We’ve now said we’re going to play for our enjoyment.

“Promotion is still achievable. We’re not even at the halfway stage, and there will be teams who drop points. Anything is possible. But what will be will be.”

Saturday’s win left Walshaw on 24 points, 14 behind second-placed Bury with four for a win.

Jack McClung was their standout performer. He opened the batting and hit 71 off 59 balls before returning 4-35 from 5.2 overs.

McClung’s opening partner Saif Bhojani added 53 and professional Wasim Jaffer, the former India Test batsman, hit 79 not out – his seventh score of 50 or more in eight innings.

Watt also chipped in with four dismissals behind the stumps: “I never contribute with the bat, so I’ve got to do something!” he laughed.

“It was a good win and much needed.

“It’s always difficult with weather around, but we already had runs on the board, stuck to our principles and bowled well.

“With Brooksbottom chasing 187 in 31, if somebody gets a quick 70 or 80, they’re in the game.”

On McClung, Watt said: “Jack’s always been a good player.

“He couldn’t bowl for a while because he did his knee ligaments, but he’s just about fully recovered and wants to do well with bat and ball.

And on Jaffer, who played 31 Tests and two ODIs between 2000-2008, he added: “It’s his first season with us, and that was his ninth or 10th consecutive fifty (in all competitions).

“It’s great to play with someone of that calibre. He’s great in the dressing room as well as on the pitch, and we are all learning a lot from him throughout the club.”