A LACKLUSTRE batting display from Wilburton cost them dear as they slumped to a six-wicket loss against St Ives at the weekend. Regularly posting big scores was a problem for Ian Jacobs side last season and their troubles with the bat showed no sign of l

A LACKLUSTRE batting display from Wilburton cost them dear as they slumped to a six-wicket loss against St Ives at the weekend.

Regularly posting big scores was a problem for Ian Jacobs' side last season and their troubles with the bat showed no sign of lifting for the start of the new season as they struggled to keep a persistent Ives bowling attack at bay.

The loss, thier second in as many games, leaves them in pressing need of a win to re-ignite their league campaign.

Invited to bat first on a dry day, Wilburton got off to a nervous start and soon found themselves four wickets down with just 40 runs on the board.

Although the middle-order briefly threatened a revival, the Ives' attack caught their second wind and the wickets tumbled, eventually seeing the home side removed for just 92 runs. Jacobs top socred for Wilburton with a fleeting 19.

Though they faced something of a mountain to climb for victory, the home side started brightly with the ball and had a few nerves jangling as they nipped out two quick wickets with little more than 30 runs on the board.

Wilburton's Steve Marshall was a revelation with the ball for the home side, taking 2-12 from an incesantly accurate 10-over spell that included an admirable four maidens. Despite Marshall's best efforts though, Wilburton simply ran out of runs to defend and Ives reached their target for the loss of just four wickets and with some 12 overs to spare.

The loss leaves Wilburton mired in the bottom two alongside Littleport with a testing trip to March III their next test.