Highams' hopes and aspirations of starving off relegation in Division 1 where all but ended as they suffered a comprehensive 135 run defeat at the hands of fellow relegation battlers Littlebourne.

Winning the toss and bowling on a slow, wet pitch Higham had high hopes and started off positively with Tim Hance and Leigh Short both making early breakthroughs to remove both openers and leaving Littlebourne 4-2.

Tim Hance continued to trouble the Littlebourne batsmen and after having an earlier reprieve, Davies skied one which Tim snaffled and left the opposition tottering at 36-3. Higham made it to the drinks break and had Littlebourne on the ropes at 48-3 off the first 20 overs.

Trigger soon departed as he holed out at mid on leaving Littlebourne in a perilous position at 66-4. Any hopes of Higham removing the middle order in quick succession where soon dashed as Beer and Ross combined and savaged the Higham bowling attack in a 97 run Partnership, which included Beer dispatching Robert Harton for four consecutive sixes!

Beer was finally dismissed for 50, but had reignited the Littlebourne innings and left the visitors stunned. Ross continued on his merry way and continued to pummel the bowling taking on the mantle from Beer and dispatching numerous sixes.

Ross eventually fell agonisingly for 99 in the last over bowled by Ant Say looking for another six on the leg side. Littlebourne amassed a total of 229 and had scored an incredible 181 off the last 20 overs.

Higham facing a run rate of nearly 6 an over where buoyed on by the returning Nick and Richard Shackleton back together at the top of the innings. The Shackleton's found the going tough but gave Higham a solid start and the longer the opening partnership stayed in tact the more chance Higham had to chase the runs down.

Higham's hopes where short-lived, as Nick Shackleton was first out caught off the bowling of Coleman. Coleman then followed up in his next over by removing Richard Shackleton who chipped to midwicket and bowling David Hughes in comprehensive fashion for a golden duck.

Peter Carter survived the hat-trick ball, but Littlebourne made further in roads as Mark Cunningham was adjudged lbw for 0 and Peter Carter was bowled by a delivery that stayed low.

Higham had lost their last 5 wickets for just 8 runs and any hopes they had for staying in Division 1 where fading.

Leigh Short and Tim Hance did offer some resistance, with Tim being positive and getting Higham past 50. Any hopes of Higham obtaining a batting point went when Tim was held off Ross by a juggling catch in the covers; a bright and breezy partnership of 38 had come to an end.

Leigh Short continued astutely knocking the ball around and showing solid defence, as the end of the innings approached Leigh’s vigil came to an end as Trigger bowled him for 16. Ant Say and Robert Harton denied Littlebourne any further wickets and Higham innings closed on 94 for 8.

Higham's last league outing is home to Worth and we hope there will be a more positive outcome and we can go out of Division 1 on a high.