Captain Michael Piaggesi led by example with a stellar all-round display as Houghton & Wyton triumphed in Division Two of the Hunts League last Saturday.

Piaggesi followed up a top-scoring 87 with a fine haul of 5-16 as the villagers saw off Peterborough Town 3rds by 123 runs.

Piaggesi’s innings helped his side to 206-8 in 45 overs and that tally never came under any threat as they dismissed their hosts for 83. Jerry Wood took 3-39.

Fahim Akbar was another player to contribute well with bat and ball at that level.

His knock of 39 and figures of 4-19 helped Alconbury to a 121-run success at Buckden.

Fiaz Mirza (56) and Neil Suckling (47no) were the heftiest scorers as Alconbury piled up 258-6 before removing their A1 derby rivals for 137.

Cavan King took 3-31 while captain Alex Marsh (61) provided the bulk of Buckden’s runs.

One of the top performances of the weekend came from a team hoping to be playing Division Two cricket next summer.

Upwood preserved their position at the Division Three summit with a four-wicket derby success at Huntingdon & District 2nds despite only being able to field nine men.

It was a match which featured fine knocks from rival chairmen. Upwood chief Rob Landymore hit an unbeaten 57 as his side eased past a posting of 177-9, which featured 68 from Huntingdon & District supremo Martyn Rowbotham.

The highest-scoring batsman on show was Upwood man Peter Cleaver, who cracked 71.

Few Hunts League batsmen are in better form than Nick Walpole this season.

The Hemingford Park opener has hit three half-centuries in as many outings for his Division Four side.

His latest classy contribution was a knock of 51, but it couldn’t prevent a three-wicket defeat at the hands of Little Paxton last Saturday.

Walpole’s effort, which followed up innings of 61 and 75 in earlier games this season, helped Hemingford Park reach 153.

There was also a fine batting performance from the opposition as Dave Perry hit a disciplined 60 to ensure Little Paxton recovered from 95-6 to ease to victory.

Bottom side Brampton’s shortage of runs at that level continued as they slumped to a seven-wicket defeat against Ketton 2nds in Division Four.

Only Ian Purser (27) made it into double-figures as they were shot out for 70. Andy Canham took 3-16 but couldn’t prevent a fifth successive defeat.

There was no joy for local sides in Division One.

Waresley 2nds remain bottom after being skittled for just 58 in a nine-wicket drubbing at Stamford Town while an agonising last-over loss to Orton Park left Eaton Socon 2nds in the drop-zone.

Ray Tudor smashed an unbeaten 86 off just 62 balls to help the locals post a handy 238/5, but it was bettered by their hosts with five balls to spare.

Ramsey 2nds were pipped by two wickets by AK XI despite three wickets from David Carlaw.