Dropped catches and poor batting scores proved costly for Mundford against hosts Ashmanhaugh.Once again they showed fighting spirit but the batsmen have to realise that 20s and 30s are not good enough, they have to push on and get the big scores to enable Mundford to be competitive in this league.

Dropped catches and poor batting scores proved costly for Mundford against hosts Ashmanhaugh.

Once again they showed fighting spirit but the batsmen have to realise that 20s and 30s are not good enough, they have to push on and get the big scores to enable Mundford to be competitive in this league.

With a much-weakened team, Mundford invited their hosts to have first crack on a road-like wicket.

The opening exchanges were very much like a boxing match, with

both sides landing punches but Mundford's couldn't quite knock out the top order.

After an early wicket to A Bailey the batsmen started to make 'hay' on a fast outfield and very short boundaries.

T Smeed bowled well in his first spell but received big punishment when he returned later on, as did P Brassett, but M Leeder bowled his 10 overs on the bounce, giving the batsmen trouble with a nagging length and spin. A Bailey bowled wonderfully all day but for some reason didn't bowl his full quota of overs!

Dropped catches once again proved costly for Mundford as time and again they let their hosts off the hook with crucial mistakes.

Ashmanhaugh's Aussie import benefited the most from Mundford's mistakes, scoring 132 not out in a total of 306.

Despite the huge imposing total Mundford were looking for a solid start, just to give themselves a chance of getting maximum batting bonus points.

Captain A Bailey (39) played some wonderful shots, particulary some lofted shots over mid-off.

Despite losing M Perryman, run out after rupturing his Achillies tendon and R Yates early on, Bailey continued to play his attacking game.

He was joined by D White (30) who, equally, played some fantastic cover drives and straight drives but both will be fuming with themselves as both players got out when set for a big score.

Mundford then lost three quick wickets, leaving them staring at another huge loss but up to the plate stepped Ted Smeed and Scott Palmer.

With nearly 20 overs still to go and 60 runs still needed for maximum batting points, work was needed from both players.

Smeed at first was watchful but then started to smash boundaries all over the place, ably backed up by Palmer, who was playing his first first-team league match, by carefully working the ball around to rotate the strike.

Confidence started to flow from both players as Ashmanhaugh struggled to claim the last two wickets.

The magic 200 was brought up to secure the required points but still Smeed and Palmer batted on until the end with Smeed on 44 and Palmer on 22.