Wisbech Town's Cambs & Hunts Premier League Division 1 title hopes shattered by March Town defeat, who seal survival
Wisbech Town CC's title hopes were shattered on Saturday by local rivals March Town - whose 48-run success also ensured their survival on the last day of the Cambs & Hunts Premier League season.
Wisbech will regret a costly late-campaign slump in the 2022 Whiting & Partners Division 1, where they lost their final three games following a front-running start.
The hosts' 30-point win guaranteed them a place outside of the two relegation spots, while Wisbech's 10 points left them 11 behind champions Foxton - who beat Eaton Socon by six wickets.
Eighth-placed March posted 166 all out in 47.1 out of a possible 50 overs.
Skipper and opener Samuel Clarke was run out by Anthony Palmer for 30, overseas player Aron Visser also made 30, Alex Millard an unbeaten 39 off 61 balls and Curtis Oldroyd 13 - before Joe Dunning (4.1-0-21-5) polished off The Avenue outfit's tail.
George Gowler bagged 1-22 and the evergreen Gary Freear 3-33 off a tidy 10 overs.
But Wisbech crashed to 118 all out from 39.5 overs.
Openers Freear and Danny Haynes both went cheaply to March's bowler Callum Young.
'Keeper Josh Bowers was lbw to Visser for a patient 16, while Sam Albutt added 11, overseas player Ryan Clark a brisk 26 and captain James Williams 22 as no-one could get a partnership going.
Young took 3-32, Visser 3-20, Sam Robinson an equally tidy 2-27 and Alex Millard (2-8) had number 11 Dunning caught by Visser for 6 to confirm victory.
Wisbech finished the campaign in second spot, meaning they still have a chance at overall victory as they enter a championship play-off between the top four sides.
Elsewhere, relegated March 2nds conceded at third-placed home team City of Ely CC - and thus finish in bottom spot in CCA Senior League Division 1.
Relegated Wisbech 2nds lost at home to champions Burwell & Exning by 10 wickets in Division 3.
Wisbech were dismissed for 153 in 41.4 overs. Opener Dom Stannard was lbw for 39, Simon Freear also lbw for 19, wicketkeeper Ross Gardner 31 and Chris Clark 28 after a collapse from 104-2.
Burwell & Exning hurtled to 157 for no loss in just 24.4 overs to win the title by 11 points.
Wisbech 4ths won by five wickets over CCA Junior League 5 North visitors St Ives Town & Warboys 4ths.
Basement side St Ives fell to 139 from 40 overs. Oliver Overland captured 1-36, Henry Gowler 2-27, Dan Crossley 2-11 off eight overs, Finlay Murdoch 3-29 and Henry Plume 2-15.
Wisbech replied with 143-5 in 32.2 overs. Opening bat George Purell compiled 38, Jack Woollard 26, Jacob Philpott not out 15 and Finlay Murdoch 20.
The hosts missed out on promotion by 10 points after a creditable campaign.
Chatteris crashed at Royston by 57 runs and finish seventh in CCA Senior League Division 1.
Fifth-placed Royston only set 119 inside 32 overs.
But Chatteris themselves were skittled for 62 in 20 overs.
Chatteris 2nds took a scalp after they beat CCA Junior League 2 North champions Chippenham by 27 runs.
Chatteris set 219-4 when 40 overs elapsed at Fullers Cricket Ground.
They bowled out Chippenham for 192 with seven overs to spare.
However, Chatteris are set to be relegated by an agonising single point behind fifth-placed Kimbolton.
Wimblington ended up sixth in CCA Junior League 4 North after losing to away side Hemingford Park by 132 runs.
Hemingford set a stiff 256-5 target. Paul King grabbed 1-38, Kyle Butler 2-32 and Leon Walker 1-42.
Wimblington slid to 124 all out from 35.3 overs in reply.
Opener Glyn Wilson made 15, Robert Kemp also 15 and Paul King 16 - but between that trio were three 'ducks'.
It was left to the last pair, skipper/'keeper Mark Butler (not out 15) and Kyle Butler (12), to ensure a total well past 100.
