CORSHAM captain Ashur Morrison conceded he could not be too harsh on his troops after they suffered a first league defeat since late May at the weekend.

The Station Road side’s run chase came up agonisingly short against league leaders Frocester as they were bowled out 10 runs shy of their target.

The loss was Corsham’s first since going down at home to Downend on May 28, although that six-match unbeaten streak includes a tie with Bath in the previous fixture as well as an abandoned game against Potterne.

Frocester made 249 all out at Pounds Lane, a total that would have been reduced had wicketkeeper Gabriel Field not put down a difficult chance off Tom Wand, who went on to make 101.

“I was frustrated with our fielding. We didn’t meet the levels that are required to win,” said Morrison.

“We let about 30 or 40 runs slip us by in the field, which would have made a massive difference.

“We missed a couple of chances against Tom. It was a tough chance for Gabriel and it’s one of those that either sticks or it doesn’t.

“But I can’t be too disappointed. We went six games unbeaten, which included a tie with our rivals Bath, and now we’ve lost to the team that are top of the league “Getting beaten narrowly by Frocester is not a bad result and it shows how far we have come in the last couple of months that we are disappointed to lose to them.”

Steve Bullen got the Corsham run chase off to a positive reply with a fine 66, while Michael Coles then came to the crease and played a second splendid innings in a row.

Following his 99 not out against Bath a week earlier, Coles made 92 but when he departed, Corsham’s hopes went with it and they were eventually dismissed for 239.

Morrison added: “Steve batted really well at the start and then it was another special innings from Mike.

“Unfortunately, he got out this time as our last recognised batsman, it was down to the bowlers to see us home. We should never be in a position where we are leaving it down to them.”

Elsewhere, Potterne were ripped apart by Taunton St Andrews bowlers James Hayman and Lloyd Alley as they suffered an eight-wicket home defeat.

The duo claimed four wickets apiece as Neil Clark's side were bowled out for just 150, with only three batsmen making double figures.

Taunton opener Ed Byrom made 51 not out in reply to guide the visitors home inside 20 overs.