Saffron Walden 182-4 Loughton 179-8 (dec) (Premier League)

LOUGHTON slumped to the foot of the Premier League table after suffering their second successive league defeat of the new campaign.

At 2005 Premier League winners Saffron Walden, the weather certainly made the going tough for the visitors who were asked to open the batting in difficult damp conditions.

A superb start to Richard Gymer's first XI career for the Uplands-based club saw him rattle off an undefeated innings of 72 from 165 testing balls.

The wickets however fell regularly at the other end and from a poor start of just 30-4, Loughton battled their way to 179-8 in a reduced overs match.

Charith Abeysinghe provided the main support at the other end, with a well-worked innings of 33 until he was caught at the boundary by Devon Weekes after he attempted to hit Anthony Brown's delivery for six.

Asif Khan (13) and Steve Gray (10) were the visitors only other batsmen to reach double figures, against a Walden attack that was led by Adrian McCoubury (3-39) and Craig George (3-52).

In reply the ever-reliable Ryan Sparrow proved to be the Loughton bowlers' main nemesis with an excellent knock of 95 before he was unfortunately run out. George (36) and Brown with an undefeated knock of 18 provided good support as the hosts cruised to victory with six wickets to spare.

Haris Afridi posed the most danger to the home batsmen with some excellent bowling that saw him finish with figures of 3-61 from his 12 overs.