SKIPPER Matthew James is calling for Knighton-on-Teme’s cricketers to put on their Sunday best.

The villagers will be aiming to halt two successive defeats when they host Mid Wales outfit Llandrindod Wells this Sunday in a re-arranged GB Liners Marches League Division Two match.

James says he is hoping to have a more settled team for the second half of the season.

“It’s been very hard so far this season because we have struggled to get out the same side for two matches in a row,” said James.

“We had a settled team for the first two matches of the season and we managed to win those but we haven’t had the same since.

“When you are from a small village club it is hard. During the summer, players have weddings and holidays and work commitments.

“Dan Pullen has been away on his sister’s boyfriend’s stag weekend and he’s also been away on his own stag party – so hopefully, he will be back soon.”

Knighton were rushed out for just 70 and crashed to a five-wicket defeat last weekend at home to Woolhope.

“I lost the toss again and we were put in to bat on a green pitch,” admitted James.

“It was raining all around us and we had the worst of the conditions.

“Woolhope had a couple of quick bowlers and, if we had seen them off, I am sure we would have posted a very competitive total.”

Rich Powell (18) and John Humphries (10) were the only Knighton batsmen to reach double figures on a difficult afternoon.

Ali Park (4-18) and Ben Park (3-22) brought about Knighton’s downfall with some decent spell of seam bowling.

Although Andrew Hipkiss snapped up 2-15, Ben Park (19), Andrew Tanner (13) and Mike Weaver (11) saw Woolhope to the target in the 23rd over.

“Rich Powell and Chris Martin took superb catches for us,” said James.

“We kept trying hard and we threw everything at Woolhope’s batsmen but it wasn’t enough to get us back into the match.”

Knighton are playing Llandrindod Wells in a re-arranged match this Sunday.

James added: “Llandrindod have a fete on their ground on Saturday so we switched the fixtures before the start of the season and we agreed to play the game on Sunday.

“Hopefully, we will be able to put on our Sunday best.”