HIGH-flying Cleobury Mortimer suffered a surprise four-wicket defeat at home to Colwall 3rds in Division Two of the Marches League with skipper Ed Kemp admitting it was a day he’d rather forget.

And he urged his players to put the result behind them and get back to winning ways this weekend when they head to another of the promotion-chasers, Ledbury.

“It was just one of those days when nothing went for us,” Kemp explained. “Catches were dropped, others went between fielders and we had a couple of decisions that didn’t go our way.

“When we were batting we kept having to build partnerships but we still reached 235 which I think is the highest score we’ve got this season.”

Ben Griffiths top-scored with 60 while James Manley added a useful 55 to take the score to 235-8 and ensure Colwall were given a tough target.

“We could have scored more but we were still confident as it is because of our bowling that we are going so well in the league.

“But they had a guy who came in at six who was one of the biggest hitters I’ve seen and he smashed six or seven huge sixes which seemed to lift them a little.”

Sam Evans claimed 5-50 but the visitors still managed to reach their target with more than five overs to spare as they chalked up 237-6.

“It’s a case of putting this behind us now and moving on,” Kemp added. “We are away at Ledbury on Saturday and it’s vitally important that we get a result.

“A bit of a gap had formed between the top three and Ledbury and it’s important that we maintain that if we are to challenge.”

Just six points separate the top three with Saturday’s opponents a further 16 points adrift but leaders Ross and second-placed Canon Frome have home games this weekend against clubs in the bottom half of the table so the pressure will be on Kemp’s side.

The skipper added: “One bonus is that I’ll have everyone available as we’ll be heading to Burnham-on-Sea straight afterwards for a few days and no-one wants to miss that.

“A tour like this isn’t something we’ve done before but it’s a chance for us to bond a little and we have a game lined up against Burnham on the Monday.

“We might try and get in some golf before coming back for the local derby against Knighton on the Saturday.”