Ramsey suffered a potentially costly defeat in their chase for the Tucker Gardner League Division One title yesterday.

Michael Cafferkey’s men went down by 144 runs at Histon as they were dismissed for just 158 by a home side who had piled up 302-7.

That leaves them 18 points behind leaders Foxton ahead of a crunch clash between the top two teams this coming weekend.

Foxton had no trouble in seeing off a seriously out-of-sorts Eaton Socon by 102 runs yesterday.

Socon, who could yet be dragged into a fight for Division One survival following a fifth successive defeat, were dismissed for 170 in pursuit of 272-5.

A far better run is being enjoyed by Godmanchester Town as they make a valiant defence of their title.

Overseas ace Jarryd Phillips starred with ball and bat in a seven-wicket success at bottom side Blunham yesterday which moved the third-placed locals to within three points of Ramsey.

The South African took 3-38 as the visitors were dismissed for 169 before hitting 60 as Paul Swannell’s side eased to victory.

Bevis Moynan (4-17) and Adam Cousins (32no) were others to impress for Godmanchester.

Waresley went down to a five-wicket defeat at Saffron Walden.

Alex Scully hit 64 – half of which arrived in boundaries – as they reached 168-9, but that was eclipsed by the home side with 14 balls to spare.

St Ives saw their lead at the top of Division Two cut despite claiming Huntingdonshire derby glory yesterday.

Ryan Withers’ men eased to a seven-wicket victory against Kimbolton. Nikhil Kumpukkal (37no) and Tom McCarthy (35no) ensured they passed the visitors’ offering of 143-9 with relative comfort.

But St Ives’ 20-point haul was four less than the maximum 24 points managed by second-placed March, who now trail them by just six points.

Warboys moved clear of the relegation zone following an eight-wicket destruction of bottom side Weston Colville, who they skittled for just 74.

But Huntingdon & District’s plight took another turn for the worse as they were beaten by fellow relegation battlers Sawston & Babraham – a seventh successive loss.

Martin Burton’s side dropped to second-bottom after coming up 31 runs short as they were dismissed for 144 in pursuit of 175.

Faisal Javed was responsible for more than half of Huntingdon & District’s runs for the second successive Saturday as he hit 74, but only two other batsmen reached double-figures while four went for ducks.

TUCKER GARDNER LEAGUE

Division One

FOXTON beat EATON SOCON by 102 runs

Foxton 272-5.

Eaton Socon 170.

GODMANCHESTER beat BLUNHAM by 7 wkts

Blunham 169 (B. Moynan 4-17, J. Phillips 3-38).

Godmanchester 170-3 (J. Phillips 60, A. Cousins 32no).

HISTON beat RAMSEY by 144 runs

Histon 302-7.

Ramsey 158.

SAFFRON WALDEN beat WARESLEY by 5 wkts

Waresley 168-9 (A. Scully 64).

Saffron Walden 172-5.

Division Two

HUNTINGDON & DISTRICT lost to SAWSTON & BABRAHAM by 31 runs

Sawston & Babraham 175 (W. Mahmud 3-33).

Huntingdon & District 144 (F. Javed 74).

ST IVES beat KIMBOLTON by 7 wkts

Kimbolton 143-9.

St Ives 144-3 (N. Kumpukkal 37no, T. McCarthy 35no).

WARBOYS beat WESTON COLVILLE by 8 wkts

Weston Colville 74.

Warboys 75-2.