PYMOOR’S promotion hopes were dealt a resounding blow on Saturday as they slipped to a 31-run loss at local rivals Little Downham.

Some excellent bowling for Downham duo Ryan Duffield and Peter Baker helped keep a lid on Pymoor’s batsmen, while the home side’s own line-up managed to power their way to a hard-fought victory.

The points help cement Downham’s place in the division for another season, while Pymoor’s push for a spot in the all-important top-two places was checked, with just three games remaining for them to turn things around.

A nervous start from Downham with the bat quickly saw them reduced to 38-2 as captain Saberton (2-15) bowled superbly to pick up a couple of early wickets.

Number four batsmen Phil Cornwell hit 26 to steady the ship for the home side before Duffield (25) and Dave Cutforth (28*) came together to take the attack to the bowlers. J White (19) also performed well to push Downham past the 150-mark, with a handy total of 34 extras eventually seeing them finish on 182-7 at the close of the innings.

Saberton led the way for Pymoor’s bowlers, with wickets also for Carl Ward (2-23).

Pymoor’s Jamie Russell started superbly for his side in their reply, hitting 38 at the top of the order to inject some momentum into the innings and some excellent support play from Darren Ebbs (29) helped lift the visitors from 43-2 on to a healthy 102-3 at the half-way point.

The introduction of Duffield and Baker into the attack quickly arrested Pymoor’s charge though, as the duo restricted the flow and runs and picked up important wickets.

Duffield lead the way with figures of 5-31 while Baker chipped in with 3-34 to see the visitors slip from 102-3 to 127-6 inside a few short overs.

Pymoor skipper Steve Saberton hit 23 to try and get his side back on course for the win but there was little support from the tail-end as the visitors were bowled out for 151.