LOSING the toss proved to be crucial for Buntingford, as they went down to an eight-wicket defeat at the hands of struggling Stansted Hall. Stansted, who needed the win to ease relegation fears, put Buntingford in to bat on a soaking wet pitch, and the vi

LOSING the toss proved to be crucial for Buntingford, as they went down to an eight-wicket defeat at the hands of struggling Stansted Hall.

Stansted, who needed the win to ease relegation fears, put Buntingford in to bat on a soaking wet pitch, and the visitors found runs hard to come by.

Only Chris Chambers (61), and Izuru Channa (42) made scores of note, as Buntingford laboured to a total of 175.

With the hot sun drying out the pitch, batting was becoming easier as the day progressed, and the Stansted batsmen took full advantage of this.

Chris Chambers (1-36), Dan Duff (1-39), Syed Haque (0-24) all bowled well, but none of them was able to prevent Stansted batsman Glassbrook playing a match winning knock of 60 not out.

Together with Bousefield, he helped Stansted reach their target for the loss of just two wickets, with five overs to spare.

Buntingford II are still on course to win the Division Six league title after a comfortable victory over Roding Valley Seconds.

Batting first, Buntingford lost Steve Baker for 12, but saw Wikus Van Der Walt and John Clements put on 69 for the second wicket before Van Der Walt go for 25.

Steve Paola helped Clements keep the run rate at more than five an over with some hard hitting, before the former was bowled for 67 off just 53 balls.

Paola and Francois Dixon made 57 each to take the score past 250, and Buntingford closed their innings on 262-8.

Paola also starred with the ball, picking up five wickets during a seven-over spell in which he conceded just eight runs.

After this destructive burst, Roding were 22-5, but recovered to reach 120 thanks to a brave rearguard action which saw Horgan reach 52 not out.

Buntingford now need victory in their last match, away to Matching Green II, to be crowned champions.