SLOUGH Cricket Club captain Bobby Sher says his side must 'step up to the party' ahead of their vital match at Henley on Saturday.

The top two meet in a mouth-watering contest which could prove decisive in the Home Counties Premier League Division One title race.

Slough’s tense two-wicket win against Gerrards Cross last weekend saw them cut Henley’s lead to just seven points following the leaders’ loss at High Wycombe.

And Sher is ready for his side’s biggest game of the season.

He admitted: “It will be a very difficult encounter but this is what cricket’s all about. It is why we’re playing in this league, for the pressure and excitement.

“We need to perform to our best but we’re very excited.” Slough finished as runners-up to Henley last season and were also beaten by their title rivals in the earlier league fixture, as well as at the Home Counties T20 semi-finals stage.

Both games were played with tensions running high at times, but the skipper hopes the game will be played in the right spirit and that his team picks up the result they need.

He said: “When you look at the history with Henley they always seem to get the better of us, so now we need to step up to the party and make sure we’re ready for this game.

“It’s probably going to be the decisive game, but it would be good for both sides and the league if the top two sides play a good game in the right spirit.” Slough travel to the Brakspear Ground in the midst of an unbeaten six-match run which has included five victories, the most recent after overseas star Shahid Yousuf (65*) steered them home last week.

Saturday’s game will be their toughest test however, against a side including former Hampshire opening batsman Michael Roberts and Australia Under 19 wicket keeper Ben McDermott.

All of the likely Henley starting 11 have played for Berkshire bar their overseas and Wiltshire’s Tahir Afridi, but Sher said his side will not be overawed.

He added: “We’re not really targeting anybody. We know they’ve got a good all round team with strength throughout so we’re going to go out there and work hard.

“They’re an exceptional side but we have got a good side too so let the challenge commence.” **PICK up a copy of the Observer, out now, for all the latest sports news and action including a complete cricket round-up** **FOLLOW the Observer on Twitter at @Observer_sports**