Market Deeping and Uppingham have already secured promotion, but three teams are battling it out for a third spot made available by Perkins' withdrawal from the top flight.

And two of them, Bourne and Barnack, clash head on, on the final day of the season this Sunday. Both warmed up with convincing wins.

David Christmas (67), Ollie Lindlay (4-28) and Charlie Hopkins (32 & 3-17) were the stars of Bourne's 97-run win over March, while Gary Scotcher (107no), Asim Butt (70) and Mohammed Shahid (5-42) did best for Barnack in a 113-run hammering of Castor.

Castor will now be relegated unless League re-structuring works in their favour.

Stamford kept in touch as Liam Dave's 91 not out and two wickets helped them to an eight-wicket win at Nassington - Stamford's last match is against champions Market Deeping.



Bretton boosted their chances of avoiding the drop in Division Three by beating Ufford Park by two wickets as Martin Rowell's half century proved decisive.

Oundle seconds look set to win Division Five after a 10-wicket rout of Market Overton seconds. Openers Mark Hodgson (75no) and Steve Brooks (64no) saw Oundle past Overton's 150.

Castor seconds face relegation from Division Six after losing a controversial match to Barnack seconds by one run. Castor suffered two late run-outs, one of them after batsman Norman Gray collided with an opponent.

Market Deeping seconds ensured their safety by picking up enough bonus points during defeat at Oakham seconds.

In Division Seven Matt Felgate finished unbeaten on 99 in Ufford Park's easy win over Burton Latimer seconds. Felgate starred in a 146-run partnership for the third wicket with brother Will who made 78.

Harry Chappell smashed 95 off 43 balls to complement Bill Taylor's more sedate 107 not out as Nassington thirds thrashed Netts in Hunts Division Three. Sir David Arculus took 5-31 for Nassington.

David Foster bagged 5-32, but his Oundle side still lost by 44 runs at Wollaston seconds in Northants Division Three. In Division Four Peterborough Town seconds' outstanding form continued with a six wicket win over Guilsborough.

Daniel Oldham (4-44 & 35) was in fine all-round form for Town.