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Division 1A

LITTLEPORT narrowly avoided relegation from Division 1A this week despite slipping to a 53-run loss at strugglers Needingworth on Saturday.

Port went into the game perched just one place above the bottom three sides, which include Needingworth, but had enough points in the bag to avoid the drop despite losing out to their hosts.

Opting to open the batting, Needingworth performed soundly throughout their order with consistent contributions from all batsmen as Port probed. Though there were no scores bigger than Kyle Vallis’ 30, their workmanlike endeavour saw them on to commendable 196-8 at the close.

An excellent 4-34 from Adrian Buxton helped restrict the home sides scoring somewhat while Jamie Leonard picked up 2-24 from an industrious 10-over spell.

Requiring about five-an-over for the win, Port’s top order began soundly enough with Jamie Leonard hitting 38 to see his side on to 57-2 after the early exchanges.

A worrying collapse from the Port middle-order quickly saw them reduced to 88-6 however, and it was left to Buxton (22) lower down the order to battle gamely against a baying home attack.

WITCHAM brought their season to a close with a comfortable 53-run win over Pymoor.

Batting first, Witcham found life tough going but some determined work from Ian Housden (42) and Glen Griffiths (31) helped push the home side past 100. Lower order bat Angus Pate chipped in with 24 late in the day to see Witcham on to 159 at the close.

Pymoor’s Ian Hale picked up 3-27 in a decent 10-over spell for the visitors.

Four wickets for Housden and three for Brandon Philips in Witcham’s reply ensured Pymoor struggled from the outset and the last wicket was wrapped up with just 106 on the board.

Tucker Premier

SLUGGISH batting saw Fordham squander the chance of a much-needed victory over Nassington at the weekend.

Despite an excellent effort with the ball that left them chasing a relatively meagre total, Fordham’s middle-order gave way under pressure from Nassington to see them loose out by just 31 runs.

Bowling first, Fordham’s attack were almost irresistible for the visitors and they quickly found themselves in dire straits at 44-4 as Clinton Cornwell (5-34) capitalised.

The arrival of Harry Chappell at the crease changed the passage of the match however, as his unbeaten 115 guided the visitors away from peril and towards respectability.

Chappell’s efforts were seldom aided by his teammates though and some excellent work from Jack Peters (1-24) saw the innings wrapped up for 203.

With a reasonably comfortable target in sight, Fordham’s top order began confidently in their reply and good work from Darren Theobold (40) and Scott Blaber (35) had the home side well placed at 120-3.

The top-order duo’s dismissals exposed a panic stricken middle-order though, and the wickets quickly began to tumble as batsemn struggled.

Peters hit 16 late on to raise hopes of an unlikely win, but it wasn’t to be as Nassington took their last wicket for 172.

Division 3A

AN imperious performance from the City of Ely saw them score an emphatic 122-run win over Burwell on Saturday.

Managing to avoid the adverse weather that forced many a cancellation on the day, Ely were quick to notch up their runs and were equally as clinical in removing Burwell to wrap up an excellent win.

Batting first, Ely’s top order batted consistently under reasonable pressure from the Burwell attack and held firm long enough to soften the ball for a middle-order assault.

Chris Aniskowicz led the way for the home side with a well made 44, while batting partner Phil Koopowitz notched up 31 to aid the cause and push Ely on to 204-6 at the close.

Burwell’s Josh Arksey took the plaudits for the visitors, picking up 2-47 from his 10 overs.

Ely’s reply with the ball was a brutally short one as Aniskowicz (5-14) removed the top four batsmen for just four runs. Elliot Koopowitz pitched in with 2-9 in his tidy five overs but it was Aniskowicz who had the final say as he bowled the last batsmen with just 82 on the board.

Burwell’s Craig Patterson top scored with 26 for the home side in an abject batting performance.