High Roding claimed local bragging rights as they took apart Aythorpe’s batting order to claim a well-deserved 134-run victory.

Neither side went into the game in particularly good form, with both at the lower end of the league table, but these matches often excite and Saturday’s encounter at The Meadow did not disappoint.

Missing three of their top batsmen – and on a difficult wicket – High Roding lost four wickets for just 17 runs.

Then Jeff Clarke joined opener Mel Hussain and the pair transformed the innings with a 105-run, fifth-wicket partnership.

Hussain hit 63 and Clarke 71 not out, including another 68-run partnership with ­skipper Mark Gallop – himself bludgeoning a quickfire 36 before being caught on the boundary – as High Roding ended on 206-6 in 45 overs.

Joe Grant was again the pick of the bowlers for Aythorpe with another three wickets for just 33 runs in 12 overs. Neil Cullerton with 2-43 in 12 and Asa Haq 1-59 in 8 also chipped in.

Aythorpe started at a pedestrian rate, trying not to lose early wickets as High Roding had done.

But once Paul Gravatt and Graham Millbank had fallen cheaply the innings took a downwards tumble, with Sam Gravatt on 20 the only Aythorpe batsman to trouble the scorers. The last seven wickets fell for just 29 runs as the team was skittled out for 72 in 22 overs.

High Roding’s two teenage bowlers took five wickets between them.

Rory Burns (3-11) Stephen Haywood (2-26) plus Duncan Watson’s startling 3-8 did the damage, while Hussain and Gallop added one wicket.

The victory lifts High Roding to fifth in the table. They travel to Little Baddow on Saturday.

Aythorpe, who entertain Great Baddow on Saturday (1.30pm start), are in seventh.