Newark Ransome and Marles CC still awaiting first win after losing a South Nottinghamshire Cricket League thriller to Fiskerton and Thurgarton CC

Newark Ransome and Marles’ tough start to life in South Notts League Division B continued as they slipped to a narrow defeat at Fiskerton and Thurgarton on Saturday.

An unbeaten 51 and five-wicket haul from Aaron Singh was the difference as the hosts battled back to sneak home by two wickets.

Newark skipper Tom Quinton opted to bat after winning the toss and helped lay solid foundations with a patient opening stand of 47 before partner Harry Atkinson was bowled by Singh (5-34) for 22.

Singh’s introduction in the 16th over sparked a collapse, bowling the captain for 20 in his next over and then dismissing Matthew Evans in his third - after Viraj Manocha was run out cheaply - as Newark slipped to 57-4.

Robert Matchett wrestled the impetus back, hitting five fours and a six in a 43-ball knock of 39 before he was stumped off the spin of Ethan Wright (2-49).

James Evans (28 not out) and Craig Munroe (15 not out) then accelerated with an unbroken run-a-ball stand of 33 to post 153-8 from their 48 overs.

Like Newark, Fiskerton and Thurgarton enjoyed a good start as openers Shaishav Dhoj and Darren Wright brought up the 50 in just 54 balls.

However, just two runs later Tom Hardman bowled Wright for 12 and in the next over Craig Drury removed Dhoj for a run-a-ball 35.

Hardman then had Sunil Shrestha caught behind by Jimmy Munroe, and when Drury (2-27) bowled Mark Walsh, the visitors had lost four wickets for 11 runs and were rocking on 63-4.

The Newark attack continued to chip away as Viraj Monacha returned to dismiss Sam Farnsworth before Evans bowled Ben Smith to put the hosts on top, with Fiskerton teetering on 82-6.

Aaron and Aaman Singh guided the visitors to three figures, sharing a 26-run stand which was broken when Sonu Charley had the latter trapped lbw for nine, with Fiskerton still 46 runs shy of their target and seven wickets down.

But Aaron Singh took charge, scoring the bulk of the runs in a decisive 38-run eighth-wicket stand before Hardman (3-26) returned to have Wright (8) caught behind for eight.

The visitors still needed eight to win, while Newark required just two more wickets, but Singh ended the game in decisive fashion as two boundaries in three balls completed his 69-ball half-century and a thrilling victory.

A fourth defeat from four left Newark 21 points adrift at the bottom, but will offer encouragement as they face a tough trip to unbeaten second-placed side Calverton on Saturday.

Newark R and M: T. Quinton 20, H. Atkinson 22, V. Manocha 2, M. Evans 3, J. Briggs 6, R. Matchett 39, J. Evans 28*, T. Hardman 2, J. Munroe 5, C. Drury 15*, Extras 11. Total: 153-8.

Fiskerton and Thurgarton: 154-8.

Bowling: V. Manocha 9.3-2-34-1; S. Charley 8-1-43-1; C. Drury 12-3-27-2; T. Hardman 7-2-26-3; M. Evans 7-1-22-1.