De Mel on fire as Wisbech Town win at Histon

Those who have been watching Wisbech Town this season knew that an opponent was going to suffer from the batting of Shalin Navishka De Mel again any time soon, and the massive innings many predicted happened on Saturday.

De Mel hit a blistering 149 not out off just 88 balls as Wisbech won by seven wickets to leapfrog hosts Histon into sixth place in the Cambs and Hunts Premier League Division One.

Following on from his 109 from 64 balls at Burwell and Exning on May 10, the young Sri Lankan hit eight sixes and 16 fours as the visitors chased down a Histon total of 219-9 from 58 overs.

He was supported by captain James Williams, who scored 28 and wicket keeper Josh Bowers, 20, as Wisbech reached 223-3 from 33.5 overs.

Wisbech had won the toss and elected to field, with Gary Freear the pick of the Wisbech bowlers, the veteran taking 4-44 from 14 overs, Josh Porter 2-52 from 14, with Jonny Garner and Jo Dunning taking a wicket each and De Mel securing a run out.

March lost their top of the table Division Three clash at Camborne by 150 runs. A poor bowling display allowed the hosts to score 291-9 from their 45 overs. Spinners Sam Robinson and Shae Pooley took 3-52 and 2-50 respectively, with a wicket each for Harry Lefevre, Toby Allen and Jacob Gray.

In reply, March were bowled out for 141 in 35.2 overs. Nathan Oliver scored 40, including seven fours, and Sam Robinson 44, with six fours, but only two other batsmen reached double figures, with Mark Estall getting 11 and Adam Conyard 10, as March suffered their first defeat of the season.

After our featured game, in CCA Senior Two, Chatteris top the table following a six-wicket win at Wisbech 2nd, who are bottom of the pile after eight games.

After electing to bat, Wisbech were 115 all out from 38.1 overs, Chris Clark top scoring with 41, Dixon George getting 18 not out, Dom Stannard 12 and William Gowler 11. Jamie Long was pick of the Chatteris bowlers with 3-16 from 7.1 overs, Billy Munns 2-25 from seven, Jimmy Wood 2-30 from nine and a wicket each for Peter Munns and Archie Palmer.

In reply, veteran Munns guided the visitors to victory with an unbeaten 38 from 46 balls, including six fours, as his side reached 116-4 from 29.3 overs. Wicket keeper Charlie Munns scored 24, Liam Boxall 19, and Anthony Bamford 11.

Wimblington are top of Junior Four North after a nine-wicket win at home to Wilburton 2nd. The visitors had elected to bat after winning the toss but were skittled out for a meagre 74 from 29.5 overs, Thomas Barker taking 3-16 from five, Steve Coe 2-4 from seven, with five maidens, Leon Walker 2-25 from eight, with a wicket each for Jason Bullman and Poppy Cole.

In reply, the home team quickly made 75-1 from 12.1 overs, wicket keeper Matthew Day top scoring with an unbeaten 25, and openers Adam Baker and Steve Coe 22 not out and 21 respectively.

In the same division, March 2nd are up to second after winning their third consecutive home match, by 158 runs, against Chippenham 2nd.

March were asked to bat and reached 195-9 from their 40 overs. Opener Rob Moden scored 44, including seven fours, with support from Theo Liversedge with 28 and Stuart Mills with 23, before Phoenix Nightingale scored an unbeaten 45 at the end of the innings, with eight fours. Other opener John Gilson scored 15 and captain Alun Bradshaw 14

In reply, Chippenham were bowled out for 37 off 23.2 overs. Vice-captain Stuart Mills took a brilliant 5-2 from four overs with support from Tejas Madivada, who took 3-10. Ollie Ashby and Phoenix Nightingale took the other wickets.

Wisbech 3rd won by four wickets at Longstanton Grasshoppers 2nd. The home side were asked to bat and made 181-9 from 40 overs, Oscar Rideout taking 3-32 from eight, Colin Freear 2-1 from one, and Oscar Smithee 2-33 from eight, with a wicket each for Amber Crossley-King and Mark Buttriss.

Wisbech then made 182-6 from 31.3 overs, Rideout top scoring with 44, Finlay Murdoch 27 not out, Buttriss 27, Archie Grange-Hall 26 and Buttriss 18.

Wisbech 2nd are bottom of Division Five North, with Chatteris 2nd just above them. Wisbech conceded their game at Camden 2nd on Saturday and Chatteris were without a game.