ELLESMERE Port skipper Phil Ashton is determined that his struggling side's fortunes are ready to change after they suffered their third straight loss on Saturday since the season opened.

Port were skittled for 82 at Radbroke Hall with the hosts knocking off the target in 30 overs, losing four men.

But with several key players now poised to return, Ashton feels that the team will soon start climbing the table.

He said: 'We've had a lot of personnel missing but once we're at full strength, our side is a match for anyone in this division. We've been forced to depend a lot on a couple of bowlers, Ian Daniels and John Park, who both took a pair of wickets on Saturday. But while they're experienced lads who've done well, we struggle when they tire.

'I couldn't fault our fielding or bowling at Radbroke Hall but we've got to be doing better with the bat than 82 between us. We only had a couple of men in double figures with Colin Roberts top-scoring on 15.'

Radbroke Hall took 20 points and Ellesmere Port 4. Ellesmere Port were given a walkover in the Knockout Cup when Chelford were unable to raise a side on Sunday. Port travel to Sandbach in the league on Saturday.