Defeat to Saffron Walden means relegation now likely for Wisbech
Wisbech’s first-ever season in the East Anglian Premier League looks almost certain to end in relegation after a home defeat to Saffron Walden on Saturday.
While James Williams’ men suffered that narrow loss, rivals Horsford won comfortably at home to Great Witchingham, securing their safety.
Wisbech must now beat Witham on Saturday for 25 points and then hope for the unlikely scenario of Horsford taking no more than three points in their home clash with Saffron Walden.
On Saturday, Wisbech won the toss and elected to bat. Danny Haynes was out for a duck, but fellow opener Ryan Clark and wicket keeper Josh Bowers put on 143 for the second wicket before Bowers was caught out for 48 from 81 balls, including four fours and a six.
A few minutes later, Clark was caught too, his 95 coming from 116 balls and including 14 fours. The score was now 152-3, and Gary Freear and captain Williams took it to 167-4 before Freear was bowled.
Disaster then struck for Wisbech as they lost the wickets of Williams, Jamie Golland and Jonny Garner without troubling the scoresheet, leaving the home side on 167-7.
However, Ross Gardner (30) and George Bruce (25) rolled their sleeves up and took the scoring to 212-8 before Bruce was caught. Josh Porter chipped in with seven and Haynes was one not out when the innings ended at 234 all out from 50 overs.
In reply, Saffron Walden were soon on the ropes at 14-2, Bruce taking the wicket of opener Hari Kukreja and Danny Haynes running out Joshua Down. The visitors were 39-3 when Bruce had other opener Bonham caught, and were soon really struggling at 67-6, Bruce catching out Harry Gallian off Porter’s bowling, Porter then trapping Ashleigh Cox LBW and Williams catching Brynn Mendel off the bowling of Clark.
Alex Peirson and Ben Harris took the score to 118-7 bit when Clark trapped Peirson LBW, the visitors needed 117 to win with only three wickets remaining. However, Harris and Jack Sneath then broke Wisbech hearts with an eighth wickets stand of 84 and when Harris was caught by Bowers off the bowling of Haynes for 67, Saffron Walden were 202-8 and 33 runs shy of victory.
The game still looked in the balance but Sneath (42 not out) and Mihir Chandraker saw the visitors to 235-8 off 48.4 overs and victory. Porter finished with 2-16 off seven, Bruce 2-23 off 10, Clark 2-42 off 10 and Haynes 1-56 off nine.
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