BARNT Green CC go into this weekend's Birmingham and District League Premier Division top-of-the-table clash with Walsall knowing they can strike a major psychological blow to their opponents.

Victory over Wolverhampton on Saturday saw Green move 31 points clear of the Black Country outfit at the league's summit, as the defending champions were beaten by Himley.

Green have lost only once all season, and should they pick up their ninth win of the campaign at Walsall, the league title would be theirs to throw away.

The Cherry Hill Road outfit look set to travel to Gorway with near enough a fully fit side.

Their only doubt is the availability of former Northamptonshire all-rounder Paul Coverdale.

Although victory would open up an enormous advantage for his side, Green skipper Dougie Brown played down any suggestions that Saturday's game could be a title decider.

He said: "We knew it was going to be a massive couple of weeks for us.

"I don't really want to look further away than that first ball we've got to play on Saturday.

"We have got a full strength side available and we are going to go out and give it everything.

"It is another game that comes with the added pressure of playing a top side.

"But I am not looking any further than this game or at winning any leagues.

"Yes, a win would give us a massive points advantage, but there is still a lot of cricket to be played."

Brown was pleased with the way his side recovered to chase down Wolverhampton's target last weekend.

Having restricted the visitors to 197-6 from their 55 overs, Green suffered a collapse, with Nathan Newport being the only top order batsman to get amongst the runs.

The captain was keen to praise Kieran Rees, who made what he described a "match-winning" 47.

Brown said: "It was a match winning innings and in the context of the season it was even better because Walsall lost.

"We thought we bowled and fielded fantastically.

"But the pitch seemed to change and it turned out to be quite a difficult run chase.

"We tried to rebuild in the middle and Kieran and Mehraj Ahmed batted brilliantly."