RUSSELL Arkley feels that his Nationwide House side can take a lot of positives from their 49-run reverse at Trowbridge.

The hosts plundered 305-4 declared from just 43 overs with South African bats Wesley Marshall leading the charge with 135.

But the Wiltshire Division’s bottom side showed plenty of resistance in their reply as they closed on 256-7 with Jon Clarke striking 92 from 98 balls to help Nationwide take seven points.

“I know on paper it looks like it was a tough day for us, but we picked up seven points and there are a lot of positives that we can take,” Arkley said.

“Trowbridge got off to a really good start but I felt like we pulled it back pretty well.

“Their overseas player, something which we do not have and will not have, was the difference.

“I thought that Jon was superb, he looked comfortable throughout and scored his runs all over the ground.”

Arkley admits that his side will find life tough without an overseas player, but that is something they will not change with the team made up with employees from Nationwide.

“We do take our cricket very seriously,” he said. “But we are a work’s team, a social side.

“We don’t have overseas players and that is something that we are not going to change.

“If you look at the league over the last five years the calibre of overseas players has improved greatly and a team like us will find it tough - but we do enjoy playing against them.”

The loss to Trwobridge has left Nationwide 20 points adrift at the foot of the table without a win to their name.

But Arkley is hopeful that his can spring a few surprises on teams during the remainder of the campaign.

“To score 256 on Saturday was very pleasing,” he said. “The attitiude was superb and we battled right until the end.

“To get seven points from a loss is good and everyone gave me their best and that is all you can ask for.

“Hopefully we can take the positives from the game and look to spring a few surprises on teams - just like we did against Swindon last year.”