A PATIENT half-century from Matty Vail helped March Town Cricket Club to a five-wicket friendly win over Downham Town on Saturday.

Left-hander Vail (50 not out) together with Tommy Howgego (19) and Rob Tombs (14 not out) helped March recover from 39-4 to a winning total of 133-5.

The successful chase came after March had restricted the former Norfolk Alliance champions to 132-9 at the Avenue.

Off-spinner Shardul Brahmbhatt (5-28) did most of the damage, with Ryan Meyer and James Harradine also claiming two wickets apiece. It was only the second time in the last eight years that March had beaten Downham.

Chris Ringham’s side begin their Tucker Gardner Premier Division One campaign with a trip to Nassington on Saturday.

• PACEMEN Adam Meads and James Williams helped skittle Newborough for 96 on Sunday as Wisbech Town Cricket Club eased to a five-wicket victory.

The seamers took three wickets each in Newborough’s lowly total, before Williams (41 not out) and new-signing Dave Stratton (26) secured Wisbech’s friendly triumph.

More than 80 people also braved the cold weather to attend the club’s signing-on day. Wisbech host Khalsa in their Tucker Gardner Premier Division One opener on Saturday.

• AN impressive all-round display from Ivan Burgess helped Wisbech II secure the pre-season bragging rights over rivals March II.

Dom Stannard (43) and Burgess (39) helped Wisbech reach 163-9 off their 45 overs, with Jordan Morgan (3-25) March’s chief destroyer.

Burgess (4-19) then did the damage with the new ball as March limped to 74 all out. Matthew Parrin (3-4) also recorded impressive figures, while Nathan Oliver (17) top scored for March.