With the league game against Topcroft being abandoned on Saturday, Old Buckenham now have a must-win game this weekend at home to North Runcton.Old Buckenham lost in the second round of the Carter Cup game to Lowestoft Town by eight wickets as their woeful season continues.

With the league game against Topcroft being abandoned on Saturday, Old Buckenham now have a must-win game this weekend at home to North Runcton.

Old Buckenham lost in the second round of the Carter Cup game to Lowestoft Town by eight wickets as their woeful season continues.

They lost a crucial toss on a wet wicket which was drying quickly and found runs hard to come by in the opening overs. Jon Fudge (26) was the most positive as he tried to force the pace early on.

Despite another start by Ranabir Nath (23), he failed to go on and Buckenham looked in trouble at 70 for 5.

Both Austin brothers, Rob (48) and Andy (30), put on 70 either side of lunch and with the tail helped post a reasonably competitive total of 171 as Bucks were bowled out in the 60th over.

Lowestoft's bowlers, particularly the spinners, proved hard to score off, as the ball turned and bounced off the drying wickets. Marcus Bishop was the pick with six wickets.

In reply, Lowestoft started slowly as Bucks' opening bowlers started well.

South African Josh Mostert forced the pace and although he lived dangerously, he survived and pressed on as Bucks continued to swap the bowling around.

Dom Smith was lbw to Nath, and Nathan Garrod lbw to Fudge, but on a drying wicket which now looked considerably easier than at lunch time, Lowestoft eased to victory with four overs to spare.

Josh Lincoln bowled well in his first Carter Cup appearance and there was a fine spell of spin by Greg Palmer.

Although Bucks lost, they competed well when conditions were hard, and they made life difficult for Lowestoft in periods of their chase.