HIMLEY captain Ben Smith wants to see a big reaction from his side after a disappointing defeat at Dorridge.

They suffered a rare loss this term when falling by six-wickets last Saturday. It was a defeat that saw their opponents add salt to the wounds by leapfrogging them into the top two in Division One of the Birmingham and District Premier League.

Smith has backed his side to bounce back quickly from the defeat and urged his players to take it out on this Saturday’s opponents Bridgnorth.

He said: “It is all about the reaction now. We are very proactive each week and we do our home work.

“We have to bounce back quickly from the defeat. I wouldn’t want that one loss to knock our confidence.

“There is no reason we can’t hit back and go out and free up again and really get our game in order once more.

“I want the players to go and take it out on Bridgnorth.”

A fourth straight league success edged away from Smith’s men after the side’s top order continued to struggle for form.

Himley found themselves on 45-3 after openers Will Fraine (15), Greg Wright (17) and Chad Brandrick (4) were all sent packing early after Himley lost the toss and were put in to bat.

Smith, so often the top order’s insurance policy this term, was then caught off the bowling of Aqeel Ahmad for 16.

Jamie Turner’s quickfire 45 from 60 balls, including three fours and two sixes, did help Himley recover somewhat to 146 all out.

Chris Boroughs struck early with the ball for the visitors to remove Dorridge openers Laurie Evans (5) and Ali Ebad (18).

But a fine 75 from Barrie Forester-Smith handed his side control.

They eventually knocked off their target in the 37th over with the help of an unbeaten 45 from number five David Ball.

Himley will now go to third-from-bottom side Bridgnorth this Saturday (noon start) looking to get their promotion push firmly back on track.

“It was just one of those days,” added the skipper.

“We knew we had to be on top of our game because they are playing well at the moment. But we fell short in all three disciplines.

“We needed to soak up a bit of pressure with the bat in the first 25 overs. One of the top five needed to bat through, like in all good teams.

“We also dropped a few catches at key times as well.

“I could also do with winning a toss some time soon. I think I have only won one all season.”

Smith confirmed there should be no major changes to side this weekend.

“We won’t go out and start switching things around just because of one defeat,” he said.

“We know what we can do and everyone is working hard each week.”