MARCH recovered from a sluggish start to shock league leaders Wisbech on their own patch in the Tucker Gardner league on Saturday.
They struggled to 146 all out but an inspired bowling effort, including a five wicket haul from Steve Seymour, restricted Wisbech to 109.
Chris Ringham won the toss on a flat pitch and elected to bat first but, after a solid start from young openers Tommy Howgego and David Hodson, March collapsed from 28 without loss to 38-5.
The chief destroyer was Jack Hastings, who hustled in off a short run up and bowled a probing line and length.
But March’s batsmen would have been disappointed with their dismissals.
Hodson slashed outside off stump against Hastings and edged to slip.
Aussie Steve Seymour came in at number three with high hopes he could transfer his outstanding century making Sunday form to Saturday.
But he only lasted two balls, falling in the same fashion as Hodson and giving Hastings a double wicket maiden.
Things went from bad to worse for March as Howgego and Carl Chapman fell to Bradley Perrett in quick succession.
Howgego nicked one behind and Chapman was bowled through the gate attempting to drive.
Ben Pyle also came and went without troubling the scorers, becoming Hastings’ third victim.
Rob Moden and Tyler Phillips attempted to rebuild the innings but when Phillips flicked Hastings to midwicket, March were left reeling at 60-6 and defeat seemed inevitable.
But Moden launched a spirited counter attack, batting positively against spin.
With Joshua Jackman playing sensibly at the other end, they added 38 runs before Moden, having just reached his 50, drove spinner Gary Freear to mid off.
Jackman then became Freear’s second victim, running past a ball and getting stumped.
March were languishing on 114-8 but powerful late order hitting from Andy Wright, who made 26, and John Gilson got them to 146, which although under-par, gave the bowlers something to defend.
Freear picked up the last two wickets to finish with 4-28, while Hastings excellent bowling was rewarded with figures of 4-42.
March knew they needed early wickets to have any chance of winning and their opening bowlers delivered.
Ringham was the first to strike, having Wisbech captain Alan Burton caught at slip.
Seymour, keen to make amends for his duck, then snaffled Sam Albutt, who edged to slip.
Josh Bowers and Gary Freear looked to settle Wisbech’s nerves with a steady partnership but, with the score on 45-2, Freear nicked Seymour behind.
His brother Simon was then LBW to Seymour, his third victim.
Two more wickets fell before another run was scored.
Bowers holed out against Ringham and Danny Haynes edged Seymour to slip, reducing Wisbech to 59-6.
Hastings and Perrett looked to counter attack but, after adding 20 runs together, Perrett was the seventh batsman to fall.
He hooked Ringham to long leg and Phillips dived full length to take an outstanding catch just inside the ropes.
Phillips then made his mark with the ball, producing an unplayable delivery to have Hastings caught at slip.
When Andy Wright had Jamie Gollands caught at slip, Wisbech were nine down with 56 still needed to win.
Number 11 Craig Johnson came in and struck four boundaries but, after two catches went down, it was third time lucky for March as Jason Esser edged a short ball from Seymour to a gleeful John Gilson behind the stumps.
Seymour finished with 5-34 and Ringham recorded figures of 3-30.
March celebrated a memorable comeback win and Wisbech were left to bemoan a disappointing batting display.
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