Football-mad Adam Conyard was a fitting match-winner for March Town last Saturday.
Conyard cracked an unbeaten 38 – his best score at first XI level - to steer the local side to a third successive Cambs & Hunts Premier League triumph on the day that England reached the last four of the World Cup.
In fact March’s clash against Kimbolton in Whiting & Partners Division One was brought forward to an 11.30am start and reduced to 40 overs per side to allow both teams to watch the Three Lions sink Sweden.
And Gareth Southgate’s men weren’t the only ones celebrating as March saw off the bottom side by five wickets to continue their fine run of form.
Kimbolton, without a win all season, batted reasonably well to reach 174-4 with Andrew Wright (2-16) the pick of the March bowlers.
The home side found themselves 51-3 early in their reply before an 82-run partnership between top-scorer Saranga Rajaguru (60) and Conyard put them on top.
March, who are without a game tomorrow, eventually sealed victory with almost four overs to spare with Conyard and Ben Pyle getting them over the line.
“It was another good performance from the boys,” said March skipper Tyler Phillips. “That’s three wins in a row and the confidence is high.”
But there was disappointment last Sunday when the club’s Rutland League side saw their unbeaten 2018 record come to an end.
The March were beaten by six wickets at leaders Market Deeping in Division Two after being dismissed for 137.
Brandon Phillips (32) and Conyard (27) were the only batsmen to make any real progress on a day when the final six March wickets tumbled for just 39 runs.
The home side had no trouble in easing to victory despite some smart bowling for Will Curtis, who took 3-37.
March are still well-placed to win promotion and host Ufford Park this Sunday, 1pm.
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