SWINDON skipper Andy Staff knows his side must be at the top of their game in the ‘tough’ Glos/Wilts Division after suffering a 19-run defeat to Frenchay.

Despite a valiant run chase Swindon came up just short on a good County Ground wicket as they posted 232 all out in reply to the visitor’s 251-6.

Matthew Kidd top scored for the hosts as he came up one run shy of his half century on an afternoon where many of Swindon’s batsman failed to make progress after getting themselves in.

“It wasn’t the best result,” said Staff after the match.

“We didn’t help ourselves really. We did everything okay, but made a few mistakes with the ball and didn’t field particularly well.

“Everyone got starts, but nobody went on and got that big score that was needed.

“We played okay but we felt we were always in the game and we could have won it but it wasn’t quite our day.

“We had a lot of batters get 20s and 30s, and if they hold on and turn those into 50s then I think we would have been a bit closer, if not won it.

“It just wasn’t our day. We performed okay, but we just could have been a bit sharper in all elements.

“It is a tough league, and if you have a slightly off day, which we did, you are going to lose.”

Batting first, Frenchay set a respectable target with an opening stand of 137 from Mike Donaldson (73) and Jordan Khan (53).

Swindon’s Dean Williamson was the pick of the home side’s bowlers with figures of 3-31, ad Frenchay batted out their overs for the loss of just six wickets.

In reply Swindon were unable to muster up a meaningful partnership, as Frenchay took wickets at regular intervals, with Dean Williamson (48*) and Kidd (49*) sharing a fifth-wicket stand of 51.

“It was a nice hot day and a good wicket, so we thought 250 was about par,” added Staff.

“It is a big score but at our place it is about par on a day like that and we felt, if we batted the full 50 overs, we would be able to get there.

“In chasing we just lost wickets at the wrong time.

“Everyone got scores and everyone looked quite good but whenever we were just about to push on, we just seemed to lose at wicket at that time, which is why we ended up with 235 which is a decent chase.”