March Town have given themselves a chance at a miraculous escape from relegation with a thumping 182-run win at Burwell II.

Going into the game, Jody Betts’ side knew anything but a win would almost certainly consign them to the drop after 13 years in the Tucker Gardner league. They responded to the challenge with aplomb.

Ash Vodnala top-scored with 81 in their highest total of the season, 261-6. Betts also hit 53 off 49 balls for his best knock of the campaign, with David Hodson (38) and Matty Vail (27) making valuable contributions.

The opening attack of vice-captain Tyler Phillips and Chris Ringham shared five wickets in the opening 14 overs - Phillips taking 3-27 and Ringham 2-13.

Vodnala’s off-spin clinched the 25 points - his 4-15 his best Saturday figures of the summer.

With one game remaining, March trail Saffron Walden II by nine points. In their final game, they travel to Waresley, while Saffron Walden II host Burwell II.

Betts said: “We were quite lucky that Burwell were plagued by unavailability. We caught them on the right day but we also performed very well.

“If you look at our scorebooks for the previous weeks our top six have failed and it has been up to the last five batsmen to score some runs.

“This time, Ash and David got us off to a very good start and we continued it down the order. It’s as many as we’ve scored all season.

“Ash, Tyler Phillips, Chris Ringham and Callum Young all bowled well and, other than one drop, we held our chances.

“It was very satisfying. We are now nine points adrift so it’s all to play for. We should not have got ourselves into this position and we need to do everything we can to get out of it.

“If we pick up 20-25 points against Waresley, it means Saffron Walden II will need to win their last game.”

Wisbech’s title challenge came to an end with a second straight loss - a two wicket loss at Histon.

Captain Gary Freear once again led from the front, top scoring with 69, but Wisbech posted an under-par 170-9. Josh Bowers (38) and Paul Edgeller (28) also contributed.

Freear was the main wicket-taker (3-30), but, despite a late wobble where they lost three wickets for eight runs, the hosts got home to seal the win and hand Godmanchester the title.

OTHER RESULTS

March IV lost by 22 runs to Coton. Cotton posted 169-9. March IV replied with 147-9.

Adrian Clare (46) and Jamie Gollands (37) were in the runs but Wisbech III lost by three wickets to Cambridge NCI II.

They got the bulk of the runs as Wisbech III posted 122-7. Rhys Howell (2-14), Ian Bell (2-16) and Matt Duff (2-33) were in the wickets but Cambridge NCI got home.

Ben Chapman saw Chatteris II to a three wicket win over Haddenham.

The wickets were shared around as Haddenham were restricted to 135-8. Chapman hit an unbeaten 50, while Ben Perry made 36, as Chatteris II cruised home.

Leverington lost by 135 runs to Cambridge St Giles II. Cambridge St Giles posted 206-2. Leverington were skittled out for 71.