HOPING to close the gap at the top of the table, a disappointing display with the bat has left Buntingford a lot to do as they fight to retain their title. After a decent bowling spell, Buntingford restricted Loughton to 172-9 from their 45 overs, with C

HOPING to close the gap at the top of the table, a disappointing display with the bat has left Buntingford a lot to do as they fight to retain their title.

After a decent bowling spell, Buntingford restricted Loughton to 172-9 from their 45 overs, with Chris Chambers (0-27) and Richard Pearce (2-20) again bowling well.

Barry Walker (2-40) and Dan Duff (3-32) also bowled well, alongside the luckless Mahe Choudhury (0-42).

However, Buntingford's reply got off to a terrible start and at 16-5 the game was all but over, with three of their top five batsman out for ducks.

Only Chris Ford (55), supported by Dan Duff (12 not out) were able to get into double figures as Buntingford were bowled out for 102.

- SCOTT Nash's magnificent 119 not out helped Buntingford's Sunday team to victory against Grange CC at St Edmunds College.

Batting first, Buntingford posted 203-7, with Phil Church (47) in commanding form.

However, it was Nash who stole the show with a breathtaking innings, which included nine sixes and nine fours.

Grange were always going to struggle and eventually reached 123-8, with Cowall top scoring with 46.

Stuart Lawrence starred with the ball for Buntingford, returning figures of 10-3-23-5.

He was backed up by young Colt Harrison Johnson who took 3-1-13-2.

- THE winning streak continued for a Steve Baker-inspired Buntingford seconds, seeing off the challenge of Hockerill thirds.

Batting first, Buntingford lost John Clements for 18 with the score on 42 and with Dookheran (7) and Townsend (0) going cheaply soon after, the game looked evenly balanced with Buntingford on 59-3 after 20 overs.

At this point, Kevin Poulton came in to join opener Baker, and together they shared a magnificent stand of 151 for the fourth wicket.

When Poulton was eventually dismissed for a hard hitting 71, the score had reached 208 and Buntingford were back in the driving seat.

Captain Colin Chambers came to the wicket and clubbed 23 quick runs off the last three overs, with Baker also still in the mix.

The pair reached 250-4 off their 45 alloted overs with man-of-the-match Baker remaining unbeaten with a brilliant innings of 119.

Chasing 251, was always going to be difficult for the Hockerill batsman, and after tight spells of bowling from Atkins (7-3-21-0) and Van Der Wall ( 6-0-21-1), the required run rate had gone up to more than seven an over.

The change of bowlers kept up the good work, and Karl White finished off the Hockerill innings with a fine spell to return figures of 6-1-9-2.

Despite good knocks from Thomas (77) and Gilbank (42 not out), Hockerill were all out for 161.