Cricket 2016 Whitings League champions batter March by 200 runs

CRICKET: March 1st XI claimed an unexpected win against Foxton at Whitsun but on Saturday the 2016 champions battered them by 200 runs.

In Whitings League Division 1, the home side racked up a colossal 292-7 on what was obviously a flat deck, only for March to make 92 in reply. ‘Extras’ was the top-scorer with 26, followed by Saranga Rajaguru’s 24.

Earlier, the Sri Lankan all-rounder had performed well with his leg-spin, returning figures of 3-33. But he couldn’t prevent the home side dominating, as they raced from 82-2 to their final total and March’s third defeat in a row.

Foxton 292-7, 50 overs (Saranga Rajaguru 3-33, Tyler Phillips 1-53, Callum Young 1-53, Will Curtis 1-53, Sam Clarke 1-54), March 92 all out, 32.4 overs (Rajaguru 24, James Hilliard 18).

The Sunday 1st XI travelled to Uppingham, where the match was abandoned through rain without a ball being bowled.

March 2nd Xl v Buntingford, Saturday

After the previous week’s high-scoring match, the bowlers this time dominated in a 43-run win in CCA Senior League Division 2 over the bottom club.

Water having seeped under the covers made the wicket two-paced. March did well to recover from 87-5 to total 141, with acting-skipper Rob Tombs making 38, Steve Hinson 23 and Steve Coe 22.

Manuj Patel then put the squeeze on the visitors after tea and following his 4-14 opening spell they were never in a position to win.

He was backed by slow bowlers Richard Green and James Harradine.

March 2nd XI 141 all out, 43.4 overs (Rob Tombs 38, Steve Hinson 23, Steve Coe 22), Buntingford 98 all out, 39.4 overs (Manuj Patel 4-14, Richard Green 3-19, James Harradine 2-20). Man of the Match: Manuj Patel.

March 2nd Xl v Wisbech 2nd XI, Sunday

The 2nd XI lost out by a mere four runs to local neighbours Wisbech in an Ernie Wool Cup tie at The Avenue on Sunday.

Ali Anthony hit a remarkable 103 not out for the visitors before retiring after 35 overs, with only 35 runs coming from the other end!

His innings enabled Wisbech to close on 168-5, with March skipper Sam Mason the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-14.

The visitors bowled well at the start after tea and it wasn’t until Jacob Gray came in at number six that March looked in the hunt.

He hit his side’s top score of 39, with Curtis Oldroyd (27) and Ross Clarke (24) the two other main contributors.

Wisbech 2nd XI 168-5, 40 overs (Sam Mason 3-14, Harry Stevens 1-21), March 2nd XI 164-8, 40 overs (Jacob Gray 39, Curtis Oldroyd 27, Ross Clarke 24).

March 3rd Xl v City of Ely 2nd XI, Saturday

The 3rd XI put in a better performance, before going down by four wickets in CCA Junior league Division 4N.

Batting first, veteran Dennis Furnell cracked 44 in the 142 total, with Kylan Nightingale scoring 23.

Harry Gowler was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-11, as Ely eased home with their total on 146-6.

March 3rd XI 142 all out, 36 overs (Dennis Furnell 44, Kylan Nightingale 23), City of Ely 2nd XI 146-6, 33.5 overs (Harry Gowler 3-11, Stuart Arnold 2-30, Geoff Kirby 1-18).

Man of the Match: Harry Gowler.

Saturday, August 11 (CCA Jnr Lge, Div 4N)

4th XI v Kimbolton 2nd XI at Doddington, match cancelled.

FOOTBALL

Tonight (Wednesday, August 15)

Thurlow Nunn Youth League

West Div: King’s Lynn Tn v March Town United (7.45pm).

Kershaw Senior A: Chatteris Town v Over Sports.

Senior B: Needingworth U v March T U Res, Wisbech St Mary Res v Lakenheath Res.