STUDLEY skipper Richard Gregory was bullish despite the disappointment of a failed promotion campaign and pledged to target a top two finish next season.

With five of the six Division Two fixtures washed out on Saturday, Studley had a golden chance to narrow the gap on the promotion berths to just eight points ahead of a final fixture away to a Fordhouses side with nothing left to play for.

But defeat to mid-table Bridgnorth cost Gregory's team any chance of a top two finish.

''We were going for the win but I think we tried a bit too hard,'' admitted Gregory.

''We needed a win really, even though we knew there was a good chance (second-placed0 Wolverhampton's match might be rained off.

''We needed to get 20 or 24 points on the board and that's what we were chasing. We played some decent cricket but it didn't quite happen.''

Visitors Bridgnorth were restricted to 118 all out with no-one passing the 50 mark and Studley put themselves in with a shout of victory when Mark Lewis mopped up the tail-enders with four wickets in five balls.

But the hosts never got out of first gear in reply and Lewis again led the way, top-scoring with just 32 as Studley fell 16 short of their target to win just four points - one less than if the game had been rained off.

''They got 118 in 47 overs so we had 33 overs back and we were definitely in with a chance but we lost early wickets and that cost us,'' said Gregory.

''We worked hard all season but it came to nothing in the end so, of course, it's disappointing. But the aim next season will be to go up because I think it's time this team was playing at a higher level."

Gregory hopes to welcome back middle-order slogger Gary Roberts for Saturday's trip to Fordhouses (noon start). Roberts is fit after a knee ligament injury.