Sean Cowley hit a majestic 79 and opener David Ramshaw a superb 54 to help the Rutlanders to a 48-run success at the Lime Kilns.

Cowley, who has dropped down from South Lincs and Border League Saturday cricket for the club, hit two sixes and 11 boundaries in his knock.

There was also a quickfire late cameo from Kevin Huxtable, who clobbered an unbeaten 44 off 23 balls to boost the total.

Chasing 231-6, Ufford Park lost wickets regularly, despite good contributions from Danny Harrington (39), Ross Keymer (36) and Derick Gibson (46). Ben Robson was the pick of the Oakham bowlers with figures of 3-37 from his 12 overs. Lawrence Green claimed 2-24.

Oakham skipper Graeme North was relieved his side got the final Ufford wicket just five minutes before heavy rain drenched the wicket.

He said: "Getting players early on in the season is never easy and we actually started with a mixed bunch of players.

"In the end we won comfortably, helped by some great fielding. Ben Robson's rapier-like bowling got valuable wickets at key moments but we won it with our batting. Dave Ramshaw got us off to a good start and Sean Cowley played a classic knock."

Market Overton skipper Paul Thwaites criticised his team's fielding after they slumped to a 38-run home defeat to Wisbech.

Four catches went down in the opening 10 overs of the Wisbech innings in Sunday's first league clash in Division 1.

Those errors proved decisive as Marko failed to overhaul the Cambridgeshire team's total of 188.

Thwaites said: "Catches win matches is not a bad adage. Both openers were dropped and that cost us the game in the end. We didn't perform well as a team and individuals made mistakes.

"We were missing players though and I expect to put out a much stronger team in our next game at Rushton on May 11."

One of those Wisbech players dropped - opener Simon Freear - went on to make a crucial 77. Mark Matthews had a superb day with the ball, claiming a brilliant 5-33 from 12 overs. Mark Hudson took 3-54.

Marko still expected to overhaul their visitors but only Nick Armstrong (35) and Brian Makwana (47) made any real contribution with the bat, Brian Apted returning 5-47 for Wisbech.

Empingham were on the end of a heavy defeat in Division 4, losing by 158 runs to Burton Latimer.

The Rutland club were up against it when their visitors piled up 288-5, with Tim Laws smashing 129, including 10 sixes and 11 fours.

Matt Denny claimed 2-41 for Empingham but he was out for three at the start of Empingham's reply. Empingham slipped to 57-5 and were never really in the hunt after that.