An outstanding performance with the ball put Saffron Walden in a strong position - but they were just unable to close out the victory in the East Anglian Premier League.
Playing away to Ashmanhaugh & Barton in Norfolk, pace-man Ali Hancock wreaked havoc, taking four wickets in three consecutive overs, including a double-wicket maiden, as he finished on 5-30 from his 10 overs.
They left the home side on 55-5 after 12 overs and a couple of wickets from spinner Oli Rae (2-41) made it 88-7 at drinks.
Jack Sneath kept it tidy after that, conceding just 10 runs in five overs, and there was 2-36 from Ben Spargo.
But Ashmanhaugh’s overseas player Romario Roach made 66 with some big strokes, including three sixes, and that got them up to 156.
However, Walden did not find the batting conditions any easier and similarly found themselves seven down by drinks.
A brilliant innings from Harry Gallian (66) very nearly got them over the line but he was last man out in the 44th over, 18 runs short of the home side's total.
Skipper Josh Down was upbeat though.
He said: "It was a frustrating loss when we were so close to winning but it’s fantastic to see Ali back to full strength and credit to Harry Gallian who patiently built his innings and almost got us the game."
The seconds were beaten at home to Wisbech by six wickets despite a strong showing with the bat.
A 92-run partnership between Keelen Mendel (89) and Hywel Bowen (43) got the hosts off to a good start and the middle order kept the scoreboard ticking before the tail fell away.
Their total of 244 still looked good enough though, skipper Luke Swanston saying it was "the best we have batted all season, and against such a strong team too" but Wisbech had a big partnership in them too, 167 in total, and that paved the way to victory.
Noah Vintiner got 2-41 with Xander Silverwood also taking an early wicket.
There was a convincing win for Walden's thirds over Cambourne though.
Early wickets taken by Emilia Brown (3-27), Ben Wiseman and Jon Buck (2-32) were then backed up by Bertie Rodda (2-13) and Arthur Jones (2-16).
That left Cambourne on 143 and Walden captain Johnny Brace (41) and Jones (50*) took Walden over the line in 34 overs.
High Roding secured another excellent win to strengthen their title challenge in the Mid Essex League Premier Division.
The 229-run success over Great Baddow at The Meadow means they remain top with two games to go, holding a six-point lead over Great Waltham, who they play on the final day of the season on August 31.
They put on a mammoth score after winning the toss.
Ben Chillingworth (44) and Steve Molloy (24) put on 68 for the first wicket in a steady start but it was the man of the match performance from Travis Doyle that put the innings on to another level.
He scored 123 with support from George Halls (32), Tom Cherry (29) and Tegid Thomas (27) got them to 335-6 and out of reach of the visitors.
The home side then doubled down on their superiority by taking the first six wickets for just 27.
A mini recovery followed but they were eventually all out for 106, Doyle stamping his authority on the game with 4-11 while Archie Halls got 2-18 and George Halls 2-8.
The thirds also won, beating Nazeing Common at their home ground at High Easter.
Nazeing had scored 244-5 to give Roding a huge target to chase but 102 from Andy Duke and 80 from Alaister Bushell, with 22 for Tom Shrager 22, steered Roding to 246-7 and the victory.
The seconds couldn't make it a clean sweep though, losing away to Boreham Royals.
they had bowled the hosts out for 125, Harry Pilcher taking 6-28, but only Adeel Abbas (32) and Tahir Khan (19) troubled the scorers as they slumped to just 90.
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