KENDAL skipper Stu Parkin gave an honest appraisal of performances against Fleetwood and the Lancashire Colts, believing the clashes highlighted his side’s biggest weakness.

The Shap Road club slipped to a 54-run defeat to Fleetwood at Broadwater, at one stage reeling at 25-5 in pursuit of 194 as their top order was completely blown away.

On Sunday, Kendal required a last-wicket partnership to salvage a draw against the Lancashire Colts, finishing 113-9 with only Terry Hunte and opener Paul Dodds scoring more than 20.

“It was a poor weekend which showed the fallibilities of our game in that we’re very inconsistent and those games highlighted that,” said Parkin.

“We had to weather an onslaught from ball one against Fleetwood and being five down for 25, it’s a long way back for the lads lower down the order.

“But I thought we fought back well and it was just one of those games where everything clicked for Fleetwood and nothing went our way batting wise.

“Although we could have fielded better, I felt we bowled ok although it wasn’t a great performance.

“We came up against a very strong Lancashire Colts side and one or two players in that team play minor counties cricket, which is a bit of a bugbear of mine and other captain’s in the league.

“We played against one of the strongest sides they’ll possibly have all year but on another day they could turn up with only three or four half decent players.”

Following last night’s clash with Netherfield in the TWP Wealth Twenty20 competition, Kendal travel to Lancaster on Saturday in the league before hosting Preston on Sunday in the Readers Cup.

And with a disappointing weekend now behind them, Parkin is looking for his charges to rise to the challenge and make sure Kendal put some positive results on the board.

“We need a response,” he added.

“No game is a given but Lancaster are sat towards the bottom of the league and with Ben Simm suspended and out their team, that’s a big loss.

“In fairness, there is probably no better game for us to get back to winning ways

“Preston are a mixed bag and have been one of the weaker sides down the years, but we played them earlier in the summer and they are stronger than last year.

“They have one or two guys that on their day can turn a game but if we play to our potential they shouldn’t be any match for our side.

“If we can have a good weekend, things will be rosy again.”