CLACTON Cricket Club chairman Gary Kirk has challenged his players to bring their “A game” into Saturday’s clash against Little Bardfield Village at Vista Road.

After a below-par performance the previous week, the Seasiders roared back to winning ways with a comfortable six-wicket success at Kesgrave on Saturday.

Now they switch their attention to back-to-back home games in Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division two, with the visit of Bardfield being followed by a contest against Mildenhall on July 6.

“It was a really good team performance and so much better than the previous week,” he told the Gazette.

“The team looked so much more like the good side they really are.

“Now let’s hope we can start winning at home again.

"The next two games are both at home and so the expectation is that we bring our A game and take full points.”

Despite having eight players unavailable, Clacton were always in the driving seat at Kesgrave.

The Suffolk side batted first and were restricted to 152 for nine, largely thanks to the bowling heroics of Imran Sheikh (three for 29) and Harlan Greig (three for 42).

Clacton then reached their target in the 40th over, with Bradley Pitts hitting 53 not out and Kieron Parkes 43.

“We welcomed Pierson Mann, a 13-year-old, who was playing his first Saturday game, Paul Lee, our club treasurer/secretary, and Carl Parkes, the dad of Kieron, and they were brilliant in the field,” said Kirk.

“We were very short but the people that came in at short notice were really good.

“Pierson, in particular, was excellent and it’s just a shame he doesn’t have any games at his local school.

“Our fielding was so much better than the previous week.

“I’m sure our skipper, Harlan, had a few words to say prior to the game and he certainly got a 100% improvement.

“All our bowlers bowled well, controlling the game and putting pressure on Kesgrave’s batters.

“I was really pleased to see our three spin bowlers, Harlan, Kieron and Imran, bowl so well together and with the return to form of Bradley, we looked a different side in the field.”

Kirk was also encouraged by his side’s batting display.

“Although we lost a couple of early wickets, Kieron, Harlan and man-of-the-match Bradley took the game to the opposition,” he added.

“Kesgrave’s score of 152 was never going to be enough on a good wicket but our batters applied themselves and showed how good they can be.”