FRINTON Cricket Club skipper Mike Comber says he and his players are refocused and ready for "one last push" as they strive to bring silverware back to Ashlyns Road.

The club are top of the Read Brothers Ltd East Anglian Premier League but saw their lead trimmed after losing for the first time this season, at the hands of Sudbury on Saturday.

Their 160-run defeat means Frinton have 293 points, Sudbury 291 and Swardeston 289.

It promises to be a nailbiting finale, with just six matches left.

However, Comber is in defiant mood and has tried to turn last week's setback into a positive.

"It's still in our hands and if we win our remaining matches, the title will be ours," said the former Essex man, who takes his side to Saffron Walden on Saturday.

"Others will be powerless to stop us and had we been offered this position back in the spring, we'd have grabbed it with both hands.

"Last week was obviously disappointing.

"Sudbury had more fire in their bellies and, sadly, we were outplayed.

"They were the better team on the day.

"Now we're looking to put it behind us, though, and maybe turn what happened into a positive.

"Suffering our first defeat will make the players pull their socks up, ready for one last push to get over the winning line.

"We'd have loved to stay unbeaten, of course, but now we're ready to kick on and hopefully, in a few weeks' time, we'll still be looking back on a very successful, title-winning season."

Saturday's defeat came at the end of the club's annual Cricket Week.

Showpiece matches took place throughout the week and first-team players were heavily involved.

Comber admits it may have been a factor but refused to use it as an excuse and said he and his teammates have every right to play and enjoy the festivities.

"Festival week is part and parcel of the club and, as players, it's important we buy into it," he said.

"Without that week, we wouldn’t have the club we do.

"That's why I'll always encourage players to get involved and be part of something special.

"People come from all over the country to support it and it's phenomenal to play in, sometimes with hundreds watching on.

"It's a great experience, especially for our younger players.

"The whole squad would have played in at least one game. Some two and others three.

"But I've got no problem with that and would encourage everyone to enjoy themselves, on and off the pitch. It's a massive part of being a Frinton player."