ISLEHAM fell six agonising runs short of victory after an epic tussle with an impressive Bottisham and Lode side. Required to bowl first, Isleham came in for something of a pasting as the flashing blades of their visitors struck ball after ball boundary-w

ISLEHAM fell six agonising runs short of victory after an epic tussle with an impressive Bottisham and Lode side.

Required to bowl first, Isleham came in for something of a pasting as the flashing blades of their visitors struck ball after ball boundary-wards in a display of batting aggression akin to a West-Indian top four in its pomp.

Despite the onslaught, there was some joy for Richard Goodjohn who managed to pick up 3-50 from his eight overs to keep the home side in with a sniff of victory.

With willow in hand, Isleham were in desperate need of big contributions and the timely work of Clive Dunbavin (68) and Gary Cowling (70) ensured a large chunk of their sizeable total was washed away.

Lower order cameos from Stuart Dunsmuir (14) and Tim Acheson (29) looked to have guided Iselham to a winning position but it wasn't to be as they ran out of runs at the death, eventually finished on 253-8, in itself an exceptional score.