MARTIN Flanagan, captain of The Groves, lamented an ‘abysmal’ batting performance as his side fell to a heavy defeat at Barrow.

After two improved performances in the Meller Braggins League, Saturday’s result was a backwards step for the depleted visitors.

The Groves were all out for 62 and Barrow hit back with 66-4.

Flanagan said: “The unavailability of so many first team players has obviously hurt us but that’s no excuse for an abysmal batting performance. We’re not going to win many, if any, games batting like that.

“I thought we’d turned a corner with how we’d batted in the last two games, but that was back to how we were playing prior to that. We need to get some wins under our belt, otherwise we’ll be for the drop – and I for one don’t want to be in that position.”

The long list of players unavailable for selection included Mike Caulfield, Byron Ward, Tom Garratt, Nathan Evans and Tony King.

Flanagan won the toss and decided to bat on a damp track, but Groves were soon under pressure at 26-5.

Mark Evans (7), Mike Garvey (13), Flanagan (5), Nick Brimble (0) and Paul Lyth (0) all went cheaply.

The situation failed to improve as Scott Devoy (2), Jon Ball (4), Daz Green (7), Vipul Jindal (2) and Damian Walters (0) all perished, leaving Steve Aldcroft (10no) standing.

In bowler friendly conditions, Jindal (1-9) and Steve Aldcroft (2-4) did their best to skittle Barrow for a small total but the damage had already been done.

The Groves entertain Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge on Saturday.

In the Cheshire Alliance, Ellesmere Port ran out comfortable winners over Division One strugglers Frodsham in a low-scoring contest.

The hosts scored 81 all out with Chris Gatrell making 35.

Fahad Khan then turned on the style, taking 5-25 as Frodsham were dismissed for a paltry 55. Skipper Gareth Boys chipped in with 3-13 for the Port, who make the trip to Sandbach this Saturday.

Ellesmere Port Old Boys lost out to a strong Birkenhead St Mary’s team in the Chester Midweek League last week.

The Old Boys managed to muster 87-9 off 20 overs (Mike Caulfield 20) and St Mary’s knocked it off comfortably for the loss of one wicket.