Asked to bat first on a wet wicket, Deeping were soon four wickets down and looking at complete humiliation until 16-year-old Josh Green joined skipper Nick Andrews to effect some kind of fightback.

But, after a fruitful fartnership, Green (30) and Andrews (25) perished before the tail evaporated without a wimper to leave the visitors the task of defending 79 when they took the field.

Unsurprisingly Deeping never came close to making a fight of it and their third defeat of the season leaves them rooted at the bottom of the table.

Oakham won a low-scoring clash at Lindum 2nds by just three runs.

They were dismissed for 116 with John Weber their top scorer with 33.

James Pepperdine then claimed three top order scalps in his four-wicket haul while Rory Brown took 3-25 as the hosts were skittled for 113.

Bourne 2nds failed to stop Boston collecting their third successive win in a six-wicket loss while Billingborough failed by just eight runs to reach Grantham’s total of 146 despite Simon Godby getting 54.

Oakham 2nds got off to a good start in Division Two with a home win against Ropsley.

Their decision to bat first seemed to pay off as Moz Edge and Bob Inchley worked the ball around and kept the total ticking over.

Three quick wickets then changed the game and the run-rate slowed down before Andy Ainscough (45) performed well with the bat.

He was supported well as he began to pick the run rate up and David Kennedy looked in fine form until confusion ran himself out.

Ropsley bowled tightly and made it hard for Oakham to score runs, but a good brace at the end from Chris Hallam and some superb form from Lial Copeland who hit two sixes in his 23 not out helped them build a total of 181.

In reply Ropsley looked sharpe but an early wicket from Loz Green helped build some pressure.

A smart bowling change from captain Rich Kerr to bring spinners Copeland (3-32) and Inchley (5-20) on helped put favour back with the home side as they made their way through the order.

Kerr commented: “It was a great bowling display from the spinners who were supported well in the field with some fine catches being taken.

“This was a good start to the season with players all contributing for the team.

“We had some Under 17s who had been called up and they all performed well.”