Royal Sovereign bounced back from two consecutive defeats to beat Bloody Lads in a close-fought encounter at London Fields and reclaim top spot in the North East London Cricket League table.

Sovereign struggled early on against the opening partnership of Satish Thiagarajan (2-34) and Jack Eve (4-32) as they slumped to 68-6 and a repeat of last week’s collapse against Tower Hamlets looked to be on the cards.

However, Mark Stephney (88) and Freddie Alexander (40) calmed nerves with a 128-run partnership for the seventh wicket to help Sovereign towards a total of 220-9 from 40 overs.

Bloody Lads replied with several early boundaries and Jack Ensor hit a respectable 32, but the bowling of Luke Browne (3-28) put paid to any hopes of a comeback, as Sovereign took the win by 36 runs.

At Millfields, Coach and Horses took advantage of a depleted Broadway Market side to record their fourth success in a row thanks to a 100-run opening partnership, as David Stranger-Jones (128) recorded his second century of the season, ably supported by a knock of 32 from Tom Dollard.

Tom Delamore (3-37) and Tan Copsey (3-44) restrained the Coach attack, but despite their tight bowling they could do little to prevent Coach amassing a competitive 265, as Broadway vainly used nine bowlers in an attempt to halt the run-rate.

In reply, Broadway struggled as the magnificent opening bowling of Mason Jarrett (4-19) and Joynal Abedin (3-21) took care of the top order to help Coach record a thumping 178-run victory.

Elsewhere, Stoke Newington beat Clapton and Oval at Springfield Park, thanks in part to the tight line bowling of Irfan Yousaff and Sadar Rashid, while Vicky Burt bowled a fantastic eight-over spell to record figures of 2-28 which left Clapton all out for 147.

Stoke Newington chased down the meagre total in 28 overs and six wickets, despite the best efforts of Scott Doody (24), Toby Jenkinson (37) and Tom Stewart (32).