Defeat for Wisbech but March record first win of the season

Wisbech are just 25 points from the bottom relegation spot following one of many games on Saturday favouring bowlers after recent wet conditions.

James Williams’ men lost by four wickets at Frinton On Sea in Essex after being put into bat and suffering six ducks in a poor score of 119 all out in 30.1 overs.

Things would have been much worse had it not been for wicket keeper Josh Bowers, who scored 54 off 85 balls, including four fours and a six. Opener Gary Freear scored 25 and Ross Gardner 20 as the visitors lurched from 69-1 to 70-6, South African seam bowler Renaldo Mayer taking 7-44 off 12 overs.

In reply, the home team were not impressive but also never in trouble as they posted 120-6 off 34.2 overs, George Gowler taking 2-30 off 9.2 overs, with a wicket each for George Bruce, Johnny Garner, Ryan Clark and Adam Gardner.

March are off the bottom of the Cambs & Hunts Premier League Whitings Division One after their first victory of the season, at home to leaders Eaton Socon to boot.

After being asked to bat, March scored a modest 164-8 from 50 overs. Top scorer was Shae Pooley with 41 not out from 41 balls, Will Steventon scoring 33, openers Sam Robinson and Tommy Howgego 25 and 20 respectively, Benjamin Pyle 11 and wicket keeper Lewis Welcher 10. In reply, Robinson was the hero with 4-20 off his 11 overs as the visitors were bowled out for 119 off 44.2 overs. Callum Young took 3-25, David Haselgrave 2-44 and captain Samuel Clarke 1-23.

In Division One of the CCA Senior League, Wisbech 2nd’s game at home to Bluntisham was cancelled, while Chatteris fell to a 55-run defeat at Abington. After being put into bat, the home team scored 175 all out off 39.1 overs, Shimron Thomas taking 4-26 from nine overs. Billy Munns took 2-46, Matthew Hollis 2-47, with a wicket each for James Farser and Max Kelly.

In reply, Chatteris were all out for 120 off 39.4 overs, Charlie Munns top scoring with 26, Liam Boxall scoring 16, Adam Whiting 13 and Ben Hollis 10. The defeat leaves Chatteris bottom of the ten-team table, with Wisbech 2nd fifth.

In Division Two, March 2nd are in the relegation area after a crushing ten-wicket defeat at Wilburton. After being asked to bat, the visitors scored a respectable 215-7 off 45 overs, opener Geoffrey Kirby hitting 54 from 57 balls, including nine fours.

Harry Sidgwick scored 38, Rob Sidgwick 31 not out, Charles Pooley 20, other opener Karl Anderson 14, Nigel Wright 12 and wicket keeper Matthew Murphy 11.

In reply, March’s bowlers were made to suffer as Wilburton’s openers raced to 219-0 from just 25.2 overs.

The game between Wisbech 3rd and Wilburton 2nd in Division Three North was cancelled, leaving Wisbech fourth in the nine-team division. In the same division Chatteris 2nd are fifth after losing by five wickets at home to Burwell & Exton 2nd.

After electing to bat, Chatteris scored 148-6 from 30 overs, Peter Munns top scoring with 66, Stuart Porter getting 24, Adam Elliott 17 not out, Gugan Kupendran 14 and Gianashan Sathees 10 not out.

Burwell & Exton reached 149-5 with three of the 30 overs remaining, Munns taking 2-17 from six overs, Oliver Tilbrook 2-22, and Archie Palmer 1-17.

In Division Four North, Wimblington suffered a ten-wicket defeat at Burwell & Exning 2nd. After being asked to bat, the visitors were 70 all out from 25.1 overs, and the home side then raced to 72-0 from 17.1 overs.

In the same division, Wisbech 4th were beaten by four wickets at Sutton 2nd. After being put in, Wisbech were 51 all out from 18.2 overs, only Brodie Ellis with 10 runs reaching double figures. In reply, the home side limped to 53-6 from 15.5 overs, Ellis taking 3-12 off 4.5, Samuel Smith 2-16 and Mark Buttriss 1-11. Wisbech are now bottom of the eight-team table, with Wismblington sixth.

In Division Five North, March Town 3rd conceded their game at home to St Ives & Warboys 4th and are now sixth in the seven-team division.