STAND-IN Ongar skipper Neal Clark is hoping a derby fixture with neighbours Epping will help inspire his side to put in an improved performance.

The Love lane men suffered a humiliating eight-wicket defeat at Benfleet last weekend after being skittled out for just 56.

But wicket-keeper Clark, who was one of several players to miss the match is hoping a strengthened side will give Ongar every chance of closing the gap on an Epping side who sit just two places above them in the table.

He said: “Last week was a bad day at the office and one we would rather forget.

“We are now looking to get back on track and hopefully with a lot of the players that were missing last weekend coming back into the side we've got every chance of doing that.

“There is nothing like a derby match to get everyone up for it, so hopefully we can get a win that will help us close the gap on them in the table.

“While we are second bottom at the minute there is still a lot of personal pride to play for this season and we want to finish on a heigh by hopefully pulling ourselves up the table.”