Godmanchester remain firmly on course for a first Tucker Gardner League Division One title after finally breaking the resistance of relegation battlers Waresley yesterday.

Simon Rose took two priceless wickets in as many balls to finally get rid of the stubborn visitors for 127 and secure a 134-run success just when it looked as though the unbeaten table-toppers would have to settle for a draw.

Godmanchester had earlier piled up 261-6 with skipper Matt Pateman opting to declare four overs early – and that proved to be a vital decision as Waresley dug deep in response.

Paul Swannell top-scored for Godmanchester with an unbeaten century while Matt Durrant clobbered a boundary-laden 75 not out off just 50 balls.

Title rivals Wisbech continue to apply pressure to Godmanchester. The Fenland side saw off reigning champions Ramsey by six wickets yesterday. Jordon Cafferkey hit 35 as Ramsey were dismissed for 132.

Bottom side Warboys look doomed after going down by six wickets at fellow strugglers Saffron Walden.

The locals were skittled for 130 with skipper Matt Duncan and Sam Latchford top-scoring on 26 apiece, but that total never looked like being enough.

Eaton Socon could be crowned Division Two champions as early as next weekend.

Terry Day’s men continue their waltz towards the title with a three-wicket triumph over Blunham, who went second in defeat.

Overseas ace Mickey Hay was the star turn as he followed up 4-31 to help dismiss the visitors for 147 with a top-scoring contribution of 61. David Humphrey added 42.

The three other local teams at this level failed to boost their promotion prospects when slipping to defeats yesterday.

Huntingdon & District slipped up against struggling Khalsa by four wickets despite 63 from Craig Leigh while St Ives slumped to a six-wicket reverse against rejuvenated Sawston & Babraham after being shot out for 121.

And Kimbolton went down by four wickets to a Fordham side also involved in the promotion shake-up. Five teams - from second-placed Blunham down to sixth-placed Kimbolton, are covered by just 19 points in the standings.

SCORES

TUCKER GARDNER LEAGUE

Division One

GODMANCHESTER beat WARESLEY by 134 runs

Godmanchester 261-6 dec (P. Swannell 100no, M. Durrant 75no, S. Rose 43)

Waresley 127 (R. Craze 41, E. Baldwin 4-30, S. Rose 3-24).

SAFFRON WALDEN beat WARBOYS by 6 wkts

Warboys 130.

Saffron Walden 134-4.

WISBECH beat RAMSEY by 6 wkts

Ramsey 132 (J. Cafferkey 35).

Wisbech 137-4.

Division Two

EATON SOCON beat BLUNHAM by 3 wkts

Blunham 147 (M. Hay 4-31, B. Gowling 3-48).

Eaton Socon 148-7 (M. Hay 61, D. Humphrey 42).

HUNTINGDON & DISTRICT lost to KHALSA by 4 wkts

Huntingdon & District 170-9 (C. Leigh 63, K. Arsal 37).

Khalsa 172-6 (K. Arsal 3-17).

KIMBOLTON lost to FORDHAM by 4 wkts

Kimbolton 121.

Fordham 122-6.

ST IVES lost to SAWSTON & BABRAHAM by 6 wkts

St Ives 121 (B. Thomas 33).

Sawston & Babraham 123-4.