BROMSGROVE skipper Mark Evenson stressed the importance of getting a positive result against Smethwick this weekend.
The Boars make the trip to the Black County on Saturday hoping to bounce back to Birmingham League Division One winning ways following their two-wicket home defeat to Bridgnorth.
Bromsgrove were hoping to put their harrowing nine-wicket defeat to Barnards Green from the week before quickly behind them.
However, Evenson’s side were bowled out for just 193 before Bridgnorth cruised to 196-8 with the help of Simon Gregory (72) and David Exall (69 not out).
“If we had scored 220 to 230 runs I would have been quite confident of getting the victory,” Evenson said.
“It was disappointing not to bounce back after our huge defeat to Barnards Green but that means it is even more important to get a positive result this weekend.
“Smethwick are a very good side and they too were beaten on Saturday so they will be wanting to return to winning ways as well.
“It’s going to be an interesting game and our confidence could do we with a boost by getting a win or a winning draw.”
Bromsgrove had got off to a decent start, racing to 184-4 thanks to some steady batting from Yogesh Malhotra (32), Jayden Levitt (39), Ryan Pedley (43) and Lewis Cordes (35).
However, the hosts soon crashed out for 193 just three overs later as Bromsgrove’s lower order failed to hit double figures.
Bridgnorth then looked in trouble at 31-3 but dropped catches from Gregory and Exall came back to haunt Evenson’s side.
The pair added 114 runs for the fourth wicket before the former was dismissed.
Exall’s unbeaten innings then proved crucial as Bridgnorth claimed victory in the 52nd over.
“Yogesh and Jayden batted well but after the new ball and the first drinks break we did not go anywhere,” Evenson said.
“At one point the scoreboard was going backwards because our run rate was that slow which put pressure on us for the last 18 overs.
“It’s a case of going back to the drawing board in terms of batting application so that we can learn to dig deep rather than lose wickets in clusters.
“I’m not hitting the panic button but we have to eradicate those schoolboy errors.”
Ashley Newfield and Tom Green return to the Firsts this weekend, with Malhotra and Henry Dwyer dropping down to the Seconds.
