Thriplow put on a good chase at The Lawn but ultimately fell short against a handy Saffron Walden side.
 
The visitors started briskly and maintained the pace throughout, despite their opener being clean bowled by Freya Watrasiewicz and sharp run outs from throws by Luke Eades and Will Anderson. Will, with two wickets, and captain Lara Neild (aided by some brave fielding from Rachel Howe) briefly put on the brakes late on but the total of 132-5 was always going to be a challenging.
 
Mikey Simmonds, opening Thriplow’s innings with Luke, looked threatening from the off but was unlucky to find the safe hands of deep square leg when on 15 and Luke followed soon after for 12. Some very tight bowling ensued and, although Lucy Duncan (an excellent 29 not out) and Sam Phelps (16) ran well and hit the few bad balls offered to them, the run rate rose steadily. In truth the game had subsided a couple of overs before Will was last player out for 9, attempting to send the Chris Neild-special pink ball into the darkening sky, Thriplow finishing soon after on 110-4.
 
Thriplow had improved as the match progressed and, although perhaps regretting occasional loose bowling and wides/no balls conceded, will have taken plenty into their belated league campaign (which includes two more matches against tonight’s opposition).