Saham Toney, after losing heavily to leaders Mattishall, were looking for a much improved display against second-placed Downham Market. But despite getting in a position to win, hosts Saham failed to take advantage.

Saham Toney, after losing heavily to leaders Mattishall, were looking for a much improved display against second-placed Downham Market.

But despite getting in a position to win, hosts Saham failed to take advantage.

Skipper Simon Mower said: 'We are disappointed with today's result, to get in the position we found ourselves in and lose it is hard to take. It pretty much finishes our chances of promotion this season.

'Our bowling has been a problem all year and we need to address that.

'But we are young and will continue to improve and will get the right results soon,' he added.

Saham were asked to bat on what looked a great batting deck and set about setting a large target.

Things got off to a poor start for the second week running as again both openers failed to make double figures, and Andy McGeorge also fell early.

But yet again Matthew Thomas held his side together with brilliant 105 not out as he batted out the innings for the second week running.

He constructed innings superbly, making sure his team were in a position to set a target before increasing the run rate towards the end.

David Ellis, promoted up the order, showed his growing pedigree with a fine supporting role, scoring his maiden 50 for the club.

Their partnership of 125 was only broken when Ellis, trying to push up the run rate, was out for 60.

Simon Mower scored a 'run a ball' 20, before becoming the fourth victim of overseas player, Kurt Richards.

Saham finished the innings on 259-7 with Thomas cracking 18 off the last over to reach his ton.

After the previous week's defeat Saham knew the second innings had to start in a tighter manner, but again failed as Downham scored freely in the opening overs.

But the returning veteran Ian Lovick, after injury, showed the control and experience Saham had been missing as his first ball of the season brought the prize scalp of overseas player Richards. He continued his effort to bowl through taking 3-34 off 12, leaving Saham in control.

But Downham and their skipper Neil Gromett (64no) had different ideas as Saham's lack of confidence came to rear its ugly head again as they threw away their chance. Still needing one wicket for victory, Downham got the 23 runs required as Saham folded under the pressure.

Meanwhile, Saham A beat Bungay A by one wicket on Saturday thanks to Stevie Huckle's all-round performance.

He took six wickets and finished 28 not out.

Saham: A Wood c Wynn b Richards 7, B Smart b Richards 6, M Thomas not out 105, A McGeorge c Tansley b Brooking 1, D Ellis c Richards B Brooking 60, S Mower c Coe b Richards 20, S Pitkethly c Coe b Richards 2, W Dyer c Wynn b Porter 4, W Smart not out 0; extras 54. Total 259-7. Bowling: K Richards 12-2-43-4, S Brooking 12-2-43-2, J Gould 7-0-40-0, J Porter 5-0-49-1, N Wynn 4-1-22-0, A Arndt 4-0-20-0, T Tansley 2-0-25-0.

Downham: W Bowman c McGeorge b Smart 10, J Coe st McGeorge b Lovick 41, K Richards c McGeorge b Lovick 27, J Gould run out 2, A Arndt c Mower b Sims 24, N Wynn c W Smart b Lovick 18, N Gromett not out 64, M Ferguson b Smart 0, T Tansley c-b Sims 27, S Brooking b Sims 5, J Porter not out 1; extras 37. Total 260-9. Bowling: B Smart 9-0-59-2, W Dyer 9-0-0-69-0, I Lovick 12-2-34-3, S Pitkethly 4-0-24-0, P Sims 8-0-52-3, S Mower 3-0-16-0.