March Town have been dragged further into a relegation dogfight after losing by 16 runs to basement side Saffron Walden II.

The hosts were in the driving seat when Saffron II were languishing on 73-6, but dropped catches proved costly as they clawed themselves to 157. Spencer Hill, one of the batsmen dropped, made 62.

The wickets were shared between Callum Young (3-42), James Harradine (2-16), Ash Vodnala (2-32) and Tyler Phillips (2-42).

In reply, David Hodson (25 off 11 balls - two fours and two sixes), got March off to a lightening start. But once he and Jody Betts (17) departed, the floodgates opened. March lost four wickets for 17 runs and were up against it at 77-6.

Toby Nulty (25) and Scott Welcher (18) contributed some lower order runs but the hosts were dismissed for 141.

March remain 10th in the Tucker Gardner league (116), just above Warboys (110) and Saffron II (109) who occupy the relegation spots.

Captain Betts said: “We put down some important catches, including Stephen Hill early on, who went on to make 60.

“As the old adage goes - catches win matches. If we had held our chances - and a couple of them were regulation - we would have been chasing maximum 120 instead of 157.

“However, we should really have chased down 157. David Hodson got us off to a very quick start. If he could have stayed in for longer he would have got 60 or 70 and won us the game.”

Betts says he is “concerned” by his side’s batting difficulties (no player has made a century this campaign) but, with a bit more luck and application, their fortunes could change.

He said: “I’d be foolish to say I wasn’t concerned by the batting. I hope as a team and as individuals we take responsibility and realise the predicament we are in. If we don’t improve, we will be struggling.”

Up next for March is a trip to mid-table Ketton, who March gave a fright to earlier this season. Club stalwart Chris Ringham is very doubtful with a bruised leg.

Betts said: “We were close in the first game of the season (against Ketton). We got nearly 200. They are a strong side who I expected would be challenging at the top of the table. Hopefully, this weekend we can get some kind of result.”