BOBBY SHER believes Slough could have challenged for the Home Counties Division One title this season had it not been for the early-summer rainfall.

Slough proved they have the consistency for a title challenge with an 11-week unbeaten run that dates back to May and includes six wins.

Their most recent success was a narrow five-run win against rival club Burnham on Saturday, which itself ends their recent dominance over Sher’s men.

But three abandoned matches early on in the season, including games against relegated Harefield and struggling Great & Little Tew, leave Slough now targeting second place at best this year.

Sher told the Observer: “I’m happy with the win on Saturday but for us it’s just about consistency. A derby win is always nice to brag about in the local community but we’re showing that consistency now. We got what we wanted to.

“I don’t think there has been any magic behind it [form] to be honest.

“We’re the only team to have had three games abandoned and if you take that into account we would probably be challenging for the title.

“That’s how the cookie crumbles sometimes but we’ve played good cricket all year.”

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Slough have suffered three abandoned matches because of wet weather this season, including two here at Upton Court Park.

Sher explained that some top-draw batting, including a rapid ton (122) by overseas star Shaid Yousaf, and nerves of steel from Waqas Hussain (4-42) got Slough over the line against Burnham last weekend.

“Burnham had got the better of us in the last three and it was a very good game of cricket with nearly 600 runs scored, but a win is a win,” said the Slough captain.

“Both teams played well but I didn’t feel either were at their best fielding or bowling.

“We should have won more comfortably but were fined six runs for a slow over rate, though we deservedly got over the line.

“It was a super century from Shaid and there were some good contributions from everyone else, including myself opening the batting.

“On a good batting track I thought a target of 300 was about par, though Burnham had the better of the conditions to bowl in.”

Sher added: “We didn’t bowl that well to start with. We did not group enough balls in the right areas.

“But Waqas came in and gave us a tremendous spell. Burnham needed 11 runs from the last over and six off the last ball but only managed singles, so credit to him.”

Slough welcome bottom-of-the- table Harefield to Upton Court Road this Saturday and Sher believes it is a game they should be winning with second place in the table still up for grabs.