Eaton Socon II beat visitors Ramsey II in a high-scoring affair in Division One of the Hunts County Bats League on Saturday, but both still remain near the bottom of the table.

After winning the toss and deciding to bat, Eaton Socon posted 231-5, David McCaig hitting 98 not out and Roan Haarhoff 77.

The away side came close but finished just six runs short with eight wickets down.

Despite a heavy defeat to Ickwell, Godmanchester II moved up two places to fourth in the table. Batting first, Ickwell lost an early wicket but a big partnership between Harry Young (84) and Ross Fensome 88 (retired) put the visitors in a commanding position.

Godmanchester fought back as Stuart Bryden (4-54), Alejandro Freeman (3-39) and Ishwar Jhikka (2-49) worked their way through the lower order, but by the end of their innings Ickwell had reached a huge score of 290.

In reply, Godmanchester were 73-1, but the loss of three quick wickets left them 92-4 and on the back foot. Robert Howells offered some resistance with a knock of 59, as did Matt Warring with 25, but they were eventually all out for 201.

In Division Two, Waresley II consolidated top spot thanks to a 181-run thrashing of Barnack. Waresley won the toss and the decision to bat first was vindicated as they powered their way to 261-4. Their bowlers then set about dismantling Barnack who offered little resistance and were all out for just 80.

At the other end of the table, a narrow win for Alconbury over Houghton and Wyton meant they moved off the bottom. Alconbury chose to bowl first and limited the away side to 194 all out. In reply, the hosts, despite losing eight wickets, managed to reach their target with five overs to go.

Upwood moved within a point of safety in Division Three with a win over Blunham. Batting first, Upwood posted an impressive 256-9 off their 45 overs. It was a target which proved too much for Blunham who were all out 78 runs short.

Warboys II lost a high-scoring and highly-entertaining game at Cople. After winning the toss, the home side elected to bat and 36 (35 fours and a six) deliveries disappeared to the boundary as Cople ended on 260-5. Alex Grange was pick of the bowlers with 3-63. Grange was also pick of the batsmen as his 77 gave Warboys a chance but none of his team mates could build on some promising starts and Warboys ended on 243-9.

A captain’s innings from Jonathan Mews (126no) steered Buckden to victory away at Huntingdon and District II. Mews’ unbeaten century was more than half his side’s total of 197-6, with Charlie Nelson taking 4-33 for the hosts. Huntingdon made a bright start to their chase with a 61 from Waqas Mahmud, but three wickets from Tom Agass (3-20) and Laurie Marsh (3-56) put the match beyond their reach as they finished 175 all out.

Hemingford Park recorded a resounding 100-run victory at home to Blunham III in Division Four. Opener Jeremy Burrows smashed an unbeaten 146 to anchor the innings and was backed up at the end by Steve Waite who added 43 in a total of 257-9. The visitors never looked like reaching the huge target, with Neil McPhee taking 5-55 and Waite 3-25 to leave them all out for 157.

In Division Five, Upwood II saw off Great Staughton in a match dominated by the bowlers. Mitch Newman (4-11), Rowan Abraham (3-11) and Zac Stevens (3-12) combined to devastating effect as Great Staughton were skittled out for just 57. In reply, Rowan Abraham top scored with 20 and Curtis Gallagher took 4-13 as Upwood won by three wickets. Sawtry II lost ground after 13-run defeat to Bretton.