Stand-in March Town captain Chris Ringham said there were plenty of positives as his side moved out of the Tucker Gardner league drop zone … despite another loss.

In a rain affected game, March looked on course for a win but Burwell II fought back to triumph by four wickets at The Avenue on Saturday.

However, the 14 points picked up from the contest were enough to lift March above Warboys into 10th.

March batted first and, despite David Hodson’s cameo (29) found themselves deep in trouble at 57-5. From this position, March did exceptionally well to make 212-9.

James Harradine (31) and Toby Nulty (27) started it off with a sound sixth wicket partnership, followed by Andy Wright, who top-scored with 32.

Callum Young (28), and stand-in skipper Chris Ringham (21no) then added 49 runs for the ninth wicket.

Unfortunately, Ringham pulled up with a calf strain while batting and was unable to bowl, as Burwell were set a 155 target to win in 35 overs, having lost two wickets under the rain rule.

At 57-5 off 14, March looked favourites to pick up only their second win of the season.

However, sensible batting and some short-pitched deliveries swung the advantage back to Burwell, with Young (2-23) and Nulty (2-24) both completing a good day with two wickets apiece.

Up next for March is a crucial home clash with basement side Saffron Walden.

Ringham, who hopes to be fit for Saturday, said: “It was a phenomenal effort by our lower order to get us to 200.

“We were in a really good position - I thought we were favourites up until the last 10 overs.

“Credit to Paul Redfarn (35no), he’s a very experienced player who steadied the ship and got them home. At that stage, one more breakthrough and I think we would have won.

“We’re disappointed to lose but it was good to pick up 14 points. We could possibly have won our last three games, so we are giving ourselves chances. It would be different if we were rolling over every week.

“Saffron Walden will be a tough game. Just because we beat them earlier this season doesn’t mean we are taking anything for granted.

“But, if we put in a similar performance to our last three games, I’m optimistic we’ll get the win.”