FROCESTER began life in Premier 2 with a team depleted by injuries, unavailability and pre-season departures and slumped to a 29 run defeat at home to Biddestone.

The match started well enough for Frocester under new captain Uzi Quershi with Tom Drake capturing a wicket with the first ball of the match. Dan Cave then picked up two wickets as the visitors slumped to 50-3, but Chris Baker, with 61, held the innings together.

Will Naish picked up two wickets in the middle of the innings to keep Frocester in the hunt and when Chad Trainor held a sharp caught and bowled, Biddestone were teetering at 155-6. But, as last season, they could not press home the advantage and the visitors reached a competitive total of 205 all out in the 49th over. Tom Drake returned to finish off the tail and recorded the fine figures of 4-29.

Frocester needed some runs from the top order, but three wickets had fallen before the total reached 50. Callum Gegg made a fine 65, but, although the middle order all got a start, no-one really got on top of the bowling on the slow wicket. Frocester fell further and further behind the required rate and once Nick Trainor and Ashley Davis both fell for 24, the game was up for Frocester.

They now visit Burbage on Saturday and hope to have Andy Solomons and Chris Liddle available to strengthen the team.