A depleted Meerkats outfit - playing without five of its best XI - produced a clinical display to see off Purnim on Saturday.

Couch said his side's opening partnership, in which Justin Coates and Adam Chambers combined for 83 runs, was encouraging.

"That innings and partnership was what we've been needing all season," he said.

"We've lost too many wickets at the top of the order.

READ MORE:

"But the boys batted really well and sensibly and we're hoping to see more of that. They knuckled down and it was really good."

Couch said his bowlers continued their match-winning form. Ben Clark produced season-best figures - two for 13 off nine overs - while Ben Small's first game of the season yielded four wickets and three maidens from nine overs.

"We've been going well on the bowling side of things but the batting side of things has been very, very ordinary for us," Couch said.

"It can only improve from here. Saturday was really good though so hopefully we can continue that." Grassmere plays Yambuk on Saturday.

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.