RAMSEY added to the woes of struggling visitors Waresley on Saturday, as they ran out comfortable winners in a rain-affected match in Tucker One. The home side batted first, and reached 179-4 after Adrian Cade (70*) had laid a good foundation. Ali Crother

RAMSEY added to the woes of struggling visitors Waresley on Saturday, as they ran out comfortable winners in a rain-affected match in Tucker One.

The home side batted first, and reached 179-4 after Adrian Cade (70*) had laid a good foundation. Ali Crothers and Mark Edwards (both 28) added vital runs to the total. Nick Ruston (22*) stretched the score with a valuable late contribution.

Waresley's wickets were shared between Chris Whitfield, Terry Hayden, Chris Asque and Laurence Bosher.

Waresley needed a big contribution from at least two of their top batsmen to chase down a rain-revised total of 155 from 40 overs, but only Chris Asque (36) looked comfortable. Phil Mastin (26) managed some support as did Jay Szwaybak (22) but it was well short of what was needed. Crothers (4-32) found conditions to his liking as Waresley fell to defeat at 116 all out.

The win keeps Ramsey's challenge for the title alive, and captain Michael Kay praised his weakened team's performance.

"We managed to set a competitive total, despite the absence of six regular first-team players. Although we needed some time to make inroads into their batting order, once we had nipped the middle order out, I felt we would win," he said.

Waresley captain Kevin Cole said that his team had had the opportunities to win the game.

"We needed to break our losing sequence, and I felt we bowled well enough to give the batsmen a chance.

"After the rain we felt that the revised total was within reach, but after early promise we fell away," he said.

Waresley II salvaged pride from the weekend by beating Ramsey II at home, after posting 186-7. Russ Nicholson (41) top-scored for the home side.

Ramsey II were no match for the energetic Waresley II outfit, and 105 all out was all they could muster as wily spinner Pat Ellerbeck (3-16) proved too good for the middle order.