CAPTAIN Chris Ringham took three wickets in four balls as March Town started their league season in style by thumping newly-promoted Ickwell on Saturday.

Left-armer Ringham (3-6) removed all of Ickwell’s top three in a devastating over, which set March on the road to a six-wicket victory at The Avenue.

Batting first, the visitors struggled to 130 all out with March’s bowling attack in a ruthless mood.

Ringham’s early strikes were backed up by debutant Jivan Lotay who claimed figures of 4-33 with a fine spell of off-spin.

The small total never looked like troubling March and Australian star Matt Wilcox (53) and Cambridge MCCU captain Rob Woolley (41) quickly put them in control. The home side reached their target in the 25th over for the loss of four wickets.

The opening day win came as a timely confidence boost for March, who host the Tucker Gardner Premier Division One league champions Camden on Saturday.

Ringham said: “We bowled and fielded really well. We were a bit disappointed to lose four wickets but it was a good performance.

“The confidence is high at the moment. We are really looking forward to the Camden game. They didn’t lose at all last year so we would love to be the first team to beat them this year.

“We want to get some points on the board and then anything can happen in the second half of the season.”

• DODDINGTON denied March a second victory of the weekend after powering to a 31-run win in a friendly at The Avenue on Sunday.

A captain’s knock from Antony Bamford (74 not out) and a fine innings from Harry Vaheesen (82) propelled Doddington to 202-7 with talented seamer Callum Young bagging three wickets for March.

David Haslegrave led March’s reply with 43, while Ben Pyle (20) and Dan Martell (13) scored runs against their former club.

Marcus Kirby hit 22 on his club debut and Andy Wright remained unbeaten on 38 as March battled to 171-7.