ELY City II battled admirably against March III but ultimately lost out by three wickets in a tight encounter. Sent in to bat first, Ely struggled to get runs on the board as the top order floundered against a hostile home attack but a dogged middle order

ELY City II battled admirably against March III but ultimately lost out by three wickets in a tight encounter.

Sent in to bat first, Ely struggled to get runs on the board as the top order floundered against a hostile home attack but a dogged middle order fight-back from Mark Higginson (32) and P Koopowicz (37) helped them on to 123-9 at the close of the innings.

Needing wickets early, Ely bowled with admirable pluck and made several crucial early breakthroughs courtesy of some typically fine bowling from Mark Deas who collected 3-15.

As quickly as the match had swung their way however, Ely lost the upper hand as March's J Jackman, collected 41 to guide a struggling home side to victory.

Ely 1st XI meanwhile fared little better at Histon as they lost out by two wickets despite an excellent bowling effort.

Put in to bat first on a track that promised much for the bowlers, Ely struggled to get the ball away and, aside from contributions of 38 and 32 from Will Farnaby and Andy Foster respectively, the visitors struggled to 118-9 from their 45 overs.

Though Histon also struggled with the bat in reply as the bowlers made the most of a wearing pitch, they knocked off their total for the loss of eight wickets. Ben Storey was the pick of the Ely attack, collecting 3-23.