Bradenham 170 (4pts) lost to Topcroft 238-5 (25) in Alliance Division One, another disappointing batting display seeing them slip even closer to the relegation positions.

The Topcroft innings was built around an excellent 77 from Ben Baldwin and he received good support as the home side struggled to cope with excellent running between the wickets, especially from sixth-wicket pair Rostron and Todd who virtually batted Bradenham out of the match with an unbroken partnership of 78.

The highlight for Bradenham was the bowling of Alex Bates who took all five wickets to fall for 52 runs.

Bradenham had high hopes of chasing down the required runs, however the innings quickly disintegrated to 40-4. Steve Matthews (21) and Brett Stolworthy (44) were the only batsmen in the top seven to make double figures.

Patrick Dewing made a good 31 and there was a late cameo from Alex Bates, who made 25 runs in quick time to secure an additional batting point.

Bradenham have yet to win a home match this season. This weekend sees a trip to Bradfield.

Bradenham A 143 (4pts) lost to Mundford 145-5 (23) in Alliance Division Four to complete a sorry day in their must-win match against fellow relegation candidates.

With a strong batting line up they could only muster a sorry-looking total of 143 and were indebted to Mike Taylor who carried his bat to finish 77 not out and Andy Wilton who made 24. The visitors had no answer to the pace bowling of Joe Norman who took 4-27.

Iain Brown showed a return to form with the ball taking 4-32.

Bradenham CC are sponsored by Trek Highway Services with match ball sponsors WC Littleproud & Sons.

Bradenham: C Hancock c R Thurley b A Bates 16, C Taylor c S Matthews b A Bates 9, B Baldwin b A Bates 77, B Davies c B Stolworthy b A Bates 29, T Alexander c L Denmark b A Bates 16, G Rostron not out 34, I Todd not out 31, extras 26. Total (5 wkts) 238. Bowling: B Stolworthy 13 1 55 0, A Bates 13 1 52 5, R Adcock 6 2 21 0, R Thurley 13 2 50 0, C Balluza 4.0 0 29 0, P Dewing 2 0 20 0.

Mundford: K Stageles b T Alexander 7, S Matthews b B Baldwin 21, L Denmark lbw B Baldwin 6, B Stolworthy run out 44, R Thurley c S Flint b B Baldwin 1, M Hunter c B Davies b G Rostron 4, K Blakey b G Rostron 8, P Dewing c G Rostron b B Baldwin 31, C Balluza c C Taylor I Todd 4, A Bates b B Baldwin 25, R Adcock not out 0, extras 19. Total 170. Bowling: I Todd 11 0 52 1, B Davies 9 1 28 1, B Baldwn 10.1 2 28 5, G Rostron 12 0 33 2, H Razzaq 3 0 22 0.

Rob Thurley scored 101no for Bradenham at home to HTV on Sunday in an eight-wickets win.

Skipper A Stolworthy was back after a lengthy injury. Asked to field, Bradenham had HTV all out for 149.

A good all-round performance saw nine batsmen bowled.

R Adcock claimed two early wickets. J Ward, aged 14, had a wicket in his second over finishing with 1-16 off four and Brett Stolworthy only giving 18 runs in his seven overs. R Leroy, also 14, removed the dangerous Burret. C Balluza bowled five tidy overs for only 19 runs. R Adcock finished with 4-31. L Denmark hit the stumps for a run-out and A Stolworthy bowled the last man.

S Mathews was out in the fifth over to a good slip catch. M Hunter and Thurley took the score to 83 before Hunter was caught in the deep for 21.

Thurley reached his 50 in the 21st over. He needed a six off the last ball for his century, a friendly full toss was offered up and he hit the six to win the game and complete his ton.

Lewis Denmark was 10 not out with all 10 coming in singles.

Next game is away to Mattishall.