Wisbech’s survival hopes suffer double blow

Wisbech’s prospects of East Anglian Premier League survival suffered a double blow on Saturday as they lost by 80 runs at leaders Swardeston and relegation rivals Horsford won for a second consecutive week.

James Williams’ men realistically now need to win at least two of their final four games to stand a chance of staying up, starting at home to second place Sawston and Brabaham on Saturday.

They then travel to fourth-from-bottom side Great Witchingham on September 2, before ending with home games against mid-table duo Saffron Walden on September 9 and Witham on September 16.

Horsford play the top two over the next two Saturdays before finishing against Great Witchingham and Saffron Walden.

Against the leaders on Saturday, Wisbech elected to field and this seemed a great choice when they had Swardeston on the ropes at 86-6. However, a magnificent stand of 145 for the seventh wicket brought the home team firmly back into contention, Sri Lankan Saranga Rajaguru hitting 115 from 110 balls.

The Norwich side were all out for 259 from 46.2 overs, George Bruce taking 4-55 from 8.2 overs, Jonny Garner 3-35 from 10, Kieran Haynes 2-49 from 10 and Jamie Gollands 1-3 from one.

In reply, the visitors made a poor start and were soon 34-4. But with opener Danny Haynes the mainstay they progressed to 97-5. However, when he was dismissed for 48 from 75 balls, Wisbech knew they were in trouble.

Only Williams 16, Garner 12, Ross Gardner 25 and Bruce 24 gave him support as Wisbech were bowled out for 179 from 41.2 overs.

March are just a point clear of the drop zone in the Cambs and Hunts Premier League Whitings Division One after a seven-wicket defeat at Foxton Granta.

After electing to bat, March were 207 all out off 49.3 overs, Will Steventon top scoring at number three with with an undefeated 93 from 123 balls, including seven fours and three sixes. Wicket keeper James Hilliard opened the batting with 33 and captain Samuel Clarke hit 48.

The home side started shakily at 20-2 but a huge 182-stand for the third wicket between Ralph Hayward (101) and Alex Hooley (76 not out) put them in a winning position and they ended at 208-3 from 31.5 overs, Clarke taking 2-52 off 10 and Sam Robinson 1-73 from nine.

Chatteris improved their CCA Senior League Division One survival chances with a 69 run win at Wilbrahams and are now five points clear of the drop with two games remaining. After being asked to bat, the visitors scored 220-8 from 45 overs, captain and opener Anthony Bamford scoring 39, wicket keeper Charlie Munns 51, Ben Hollis 36, Peter Munns 44 and Matthew Hollis 22.

They then bowled the home side out for 151 in 39.4 overs, Billy Munns taking 3-26 from nine, James Fraser 2-34, Jake Kaval 2-41 and a wicket each for Matthew Hollis, Shimron Thomas and Bamford.

In the same division, Wisbech 2nd won by seven wickets at home to Abington. The visitors elected to bat and looked good at 238-3 from 45 overs, Chris Clark, Ian Bell and Ali Anthony taking a wicket each.

Wisbech seemed to be struggling for a reply when they lost both openers cheaply, but an unbeaten 139 from Sam Albutt steered them to 242-3 from 42.5 overs, with support from wicket keeper Matthew Gill’s 31 and an unbeaten 42 from Clark.

In Division Two, March 2nd conceded their game at home to Madingley and are now 29 points adrift of safety with just two matches left to play.

Chatteris 2nd lost by 39 runs at home to leaders Cherry Hinton in Junior League Three North. After deciding to bat, the visitors hit 204 all out from 39.4 overs, Oliver Tilbrook taking 2-27 from eight overs, Jago Pearson 2-30 from six and Harley Edmonds 2-36 from five, with a wicket each for Stuart Porter, Harry Matthews and Gianashan Sathees.

In reply, Chatteris were 165 all out from 36.5 overs, Matthews hitting nine fours in a knock of 65, Liam Boxall scoring 17, Sathees 29 and number 11 Matthews an undefeated 19.

Wimblington win the Junior League Four North derby against relegated Wisbech 4th by a massive 175 runs. After electing to bat, the home side scored 234-5 from 40 overs, after losing both openers for ducks.

However, first wicket down batsman Ashley Irvine scored 147 not out from 135 balls, with 17 fours and three sixes, supported by a knock of 38 from wicket keeper Robert Kemp and 23 from Jason Bullman.

In reply, Wisbech were skittled out for 59 off 26.4 overs, only Henry Plume with 11 and Tom Freear with 17 reaching double figures. Poppy Cole took a brilliant 4-10 from 3.4 overs and Francesca Plitch an equally impressive 4-13 from eight, with Bullman and Paul King claiming a wicket apiece.

March 3rd conceded their game at Isleham 2nd in Junior League Five North.