Dawson urges confidence as he targets mid-table finish

ENDON skipper Mick Dawson has urged his players to believe in their own ability following Saturday's disappointing 17-run defeat at home to lowly Wootton Sports Club.

"We went into the game with three wins out of the last four and were looking at making it four out of five," said Dawson.

"We bowled them out for 156 and felt in a really strong position to do that.

"We were a couple of batsmen short, but even so we should have knocked them off.

"We just couldn't put any sort of partnership together. It's a confidence thing.

"We have just got to start believing a bit more in ourselves.

"A few people in the team have lost confidence.

"Whether batting at number eight or not bowling, players still have a job to do for the team."

Dawson is now aiming to finish the season on a high – starting with this weekend's trip to Hem Heath/Forsbrook.

"I'm looking more towards next season now," he said.

"But from the way we started this season – I think we lost our first five games – a mid-table finish would be a good season.

"We're capable of doing it, of getting up to a good mid-table finish.

"A lot of our key players were out towards the start, but to get three wins out of our last five shows our ability."

And the skipper, who missed the first six weeks of the campaign through injury, also hopes to throw a spanner in the works at the top of the table.

He said: "We've got to play both Bagnall and Bignall End so hopefully we can cause a few twists at the top."