RAM v Steep: STEEP slipped to a one-run defeat at unbeaten league leaders RAM.

Captain J Smith put the hosts in and was soon rewarded as he removed I Khan’s middle stump for 19. J Smith then dismissed Mehmood for 13, and he bowled his nine overs through to return fine figures of 2-23.

Yates bounced out captain A Khan for 13, but a middle order revival from Kiani (56) and Ali (28) moved RAM onto 140-4 before Bone removed Kiani.

Spinners S Smith (2-46) and Bone (2-43) both bowled well and RAM finished on 204-9 at the end of their 45 overs.

McCubbin and S Smith opened up and gave Steep a good platform before McCubbin was removed.

That brought Knight to the crease and he and S Smith began to set about the RAM bowling, with Knight getting 60 and S Smith 75.

However, Knight and S Smith fell in consecutive overs and I Khan (4-19) took a hat-trick to rip the heart out of Steep’s batting line-up.

A quickfire 23 from Atkins wasn’t enough to prevent the narrowest of defeats, as Hughes fell with three balls remaining and just two needed for the win.