CAPTAIN Mark Evenson believes Bromsgrove’s players must put behind them a disappointing display after their seven-wicket defeat to fellow title rivals Dorridge in the Birmingham and District League Division One.

The Boars suffered only their second outright defeat of the season after they failed to fire with bat or ball.

Put into bat on a damp wicket, Bromsgrove were bowled out for 153, while their opponents replied with 154-3.

With the bat, Adam Gailey (43) top-scored as Bromsgrove looked set to reached the 200 mark but lost a host of batsmen, with five dismissed for ducks.

Despite one wicket for Evenson and two for George Rhodes, Dorridge had time to reach the target for victory, closing the gap on second-placed Bromsgrove to just three points.

“This was a very disappointing day, we just did not compete,” commented the captain.

“The wicket was damp but at one point it looked as though we might reach 200, which would have been an excellent score.

“Instead we were bowled out for around 150. Dorridge didn’t lose a wicket until quite late on and they didn’t really have many runs left to win the game.

“We had a meeting about it afterwards to clear the defeat out of our system and we must be positive.

“We’ve got Whitchurch who are the bottom of the table on Saturday, which is an ideal chance to bounce back.”

Evenson is set to miss Saturday’s clash at Whitchurch (noon start) but they will be boosted by the return of former captain and chairman Nick Husbands, who is coming out of retirement to deputise for the absent captain.

Fast bowler Husbands had retired as he struggled to cope with a knee injury but has been playing for the Boars in Twenty20 matches this summer.

Evenson said: “Apart from myself, we have a very young team, so it’s great to have someone with so much experience come into the side when I am not available.

“Nick’s been bowling well in the Twenty20 games and he has said his knee’s okay for one off appearances.

“He’s got a lot of experience and know-how and will be able to contribute a lot, so it’s great to have him available.”