March Town’s scintillating start to life in Tucker League Division Two ground to a halt on Saturday when they lost away to Saffron Walden 2nds by four wickets in a low scoring affair.

The two sides, who were both relegated last season, had their overs reduced to 46 because of a late start due to a wet outfield.

Batting first, four of the top five all made starts, with opening batsman Toby Nulty scoring 21, Brandon Phillips hitting 19 and Ben Pyle and Sam Freedman notching 16 apiece.

Skipper Tyler Phillips top-scored with 25 at number eight, as the tail wagged to get March from 94-8 to 140 all out. Nathan Oliver was unbeaten on 15.

Freedman took an early wicket after tea, only for a 69-run second wicket partnership to make inroads into the winning target.

Nulty and a rare bowling spell from Matty Vail removed the two batsmen and gave fresh hope before Andy Wright produced an excellent 2-11 spell of seam bowling from his nine overs.

Unfortunately, that was not enough as the Essex side eased home with 16 balls remaining, to send March to only their second Tucker League defeat of the season.

March Town’s 2nd side were left kicking themselves after losing by just one wicket to Longstanton Grasshoppers at The Avenue on in the CCA Senior League Division Two.

At 98 without loss after tea and 21 overs remaining, the visitors’ total of 167 looked comfortably within their reach. Ten runs were needed off the final over - eight being scored.

Steve Hinson hit 75 at the top of the order - an innings that contained 10 boundaries including one six. Opening the batting alongside him was Chris Ringham, who made a solid 34.

Those two apart, only Rob Conyard (12) made double figures.

First teamer regular Ringham, returning after injury, also took 3-39 and Stuart Arnold 3-34 during the Longstanton innings - boosted by too many short or wide of the wicket deliveries during the first 20 overs.

Their flying start was held in check by the off-spin of Richard Green, who bowled well for his 2-19 off nine overs.

Elsewhere, Wisbech Town slipped to a second consecutive Tucker Gardner Division One defeat when they were swept aside by Histon after being dismissed for a meagre 83 runs.

Sam Rippington’s 23 was the highlight for Wisbech whilst batting, with four batsmen being dismissed for ducks as Sam Albutt’s side slumped to their lowetst total this term.

Histon lost just four wickets as they surpassed Wisbech’s tally, with Brodie Ellis the pick of the bowlers for Wisbech with 2-11.

Wisbech’s 2nd side secured a more positive result for the club; beating Chippenham by 48 runs in the CCA Senior Division One.

Wisbech posted 197-9 off their 45 overs, with Chippenham only able to find 149-8 in reply.

In the CCA Junior Divison One, Wilburton edged past St Ives Town 2nds with a five-run success, and in the division below, March Town 3rds claimed the bragging rights in a local derby against Chatteris Town 2nds.

March were able to bowl Chatteris out for 114, before losing just five wickets in their reply to seal the points.

In the same division, a superb 78* from Jonathan Garner fired Wisbech Town 3rds to a seven wicket triumph over Cambridge NCI 2nds.

Garner starred with both bat and ball; taking 3-38 to help his side dismissed the Cambridge side for 185, before his 78 and 63 from Adrian Clare fired the men from the Fens to victory.