Sawston were set a total of just 181 by March and had little problem getting the runs as they crashed the ball all over The Avenue ground, scoring 185 in 27.2 overs with 28 boundaries.

Australian opening bowler Steve Seymour suffered the most punishment with his six overs costing 56 runs for just one wicket and Chris Peckett went for 40 runs in his six-over spell.

With the top two sides in the league, Burwell and Nassington, drawing it was a big blow to March’s title hopes. But if it is any consolation they did lose to Sawston last season yet still finished up as champions.

March started their innings well enough with Andrew Mills hitting 81 to celebrate his Cambs call-up. He received good support from Seymour 27 and Carl Chapman 28 after Ed Rodgers and Adam Devenish had both gone for ducks. They reached 181 for eight off their 48 overs.

Skipper Chris Ringham commented: “We were put into bat on a difficult wicket and paid for some loose shots. We should have scored 30 more, but even then that would not have been enough.

“Their Zimbabwean batsman Goosen just hit the ball all over the place and you just could not bowl at him. Full credit to Sawston, they deserved their win.”

March also suffered defeat on Sunday, losing out by two wickets in the Rutland League against Uppingham.

Again March batted first and reached 168 for nine wickets, with Seymour top scoring with 42. Devenish 36 and Matthew Slack 34 also got among the runs, but a middle order collapse proved costly.

Uppingham lost two early wickets to Ringham but were always on target for victory and won with two wickets in hand and one over to spare.

Seymour took four for 27 in his 12 overs and Ringham took three for 32.

March Seconds won by eight wickets against Yelling with Steve Hinson hitting a magnificent 85.

Yelling were put into bat first and looked comfortable at 80 for one wicket until veteran bowler Brian Tombs took four wickets for just seven runs in four overs to turn the game.

Richard Green also bowled well to take three for 31 as Yelling reached 140 for nine.

Openers Jon Kaberry 27 and Hinson gave March a solid start and they were never in trouble, winning with eight wickets in hand.

March Thirds had an even more emphatic win – by 10 wickets away to Littleport away.

On a poor wicket, March put Littleport in to bat and Phil Goodfellow got straight to work, picking up four wickets in his 10 overs, finishing with four for 15. Manuj Patel bowled a very tidy spell, finishing with one for eight off 10 overs.