Eaton Socon 2nds boosted their Hunts League top-flight survival prospects last Saturday – by pushing rock-bottom local rivals Waresley 2nds deeper into the mire.

Simon Cooper and young talent Olly Jeffries formed a match-winning, seventh-wicket partnership as the Socon side reached a target of 141 to climb out of the drop-zone by a point.

That didn’t look likely when they collapsed to 67-6, but Cooper (52no) and Jeffries (25no) steadied the ship despite the best efforts of Jim Keys, who took 4-22.

Buckden’s promotion challenge in Division Two suffered a blow when they crashed to an eight-wicket derby defeat at Alconbury.

They were dismissed for 141 in the A1 showdown with Fahim Akbar (4-23) and Tom Brooks (3-17) doing the damage. Charlie Nelson then hit an unbeaten 47 as Alconbury cruised to victory.

Houghton & Wyton had a smooth success at that level when overcoming Peterborough Town 3rds by eight wickets.

Joseph Purse and Ross Puckey both took four wickets to remove the visitors for 151 before an unbeaten 86 from Martin Heginbotham ensured that figure was promptly passed.

Dave Atkinson was the star performer with bat and ball as Sawtry moved another step closer to promotion.

The Division Three table-toppers remain 42 points clear after breezing to a 10-wicket triumph against Burghley Park 2nds.

Atkinson claimed 3-26 as Sawtry skittled their 10-man visitors for just 80 with Brian Chapman, Ian Bonsall and Michael Kay all taking two wickets apiece.

Atkinson then hit a half-century as they swept to success in just 11 overs. He finished unbeaten on 56 while fellow opener Glyn Smith was 25no.

The local bragging rights at that level belong to Upwood following a 108-run success against Ramsey 3rds.

A boundary-laden 77 from David Drage helped the hosts to 251-5 before Steve Tuffin took three wickets as Ramsey 3rds could only reach 143 in reply.

Youngster Ryan Drage toasted an unbeaten century for the club’s Sunday side in Division Five, but was unable to drag them to victory against Warboys.

Despite Drage hitting a dozen fours and four sixes in a fine 124no – his first senior ton - Upwood ended up eight runs short of their visitors’ offering of 264-4, closing on 256-3.

Chris Newton (84) was the most impressive Warboys batsman in a game where 520 runs were scored with just seven wickets falling.

Two Godmanchester Town 3rds men hit quickfire centuries at the same level – but rain meant their efforts were also in vain.

Matt Anscomb cracked 122 off just 73 balls and Landon Neal retired after walloping 103 from 50 balls in an abandoned clash against Houghton & Wyton.

Anscomb bludgeoned 18 fours and three sixes in his innings, with Neal managing 14 fours and four sixes, as their side piled up 322-2, but the bad weather set in with the visitors 50-2 in reply.