March once again lose to bogey side Sawston

AN improved batting performance was not enough to prevent March from losing by three wickets to bogey side Sawston on Saturday.

The loss sees them drop to third in the Tucker Gardner League, 18 points behind leaders Wisbech.

The early signs were promising as March batted first at a ground they had not won on for three years.

Steve Seymour (69) and David Hodson (44) put on a century opening stand but a middle order collapse saw March languishing at 148-6 before Ben Pyle’s 40 got them up to a competitive 216-8.

But Matty Veil and Tommy Howgego were both injured during March’s innings and defending a big outfield with depleted numbers was always going to be difficult.

In reply, Sawston were coasting at 168-1 but top bowling from Tyler Phillips, who got 4-62, and Seymour, who picked up 3-29, gave March a sniff of victory.

But Sawston stumbled over the line and March were left to reflect on another loss.

Captain Chris Ringham said: “It was nice to get off to a good start and the openers looked in good form.

“But after that it was the same old story. We lost several quick wickets and we went from thinking 260 was on the cards to struggling to get 200. Thankfully Pyle came in and made 40.

“It was always going to be difficult defending a score with 10 men on a big outfield but we hung in there and if we had got 20 or 30 extra runs we may have won.

“Even though we lost, there were a lot of positives to take from the performance.”

March will hope to bounce back when they travel to Nassington on Saturday.

Ringham said: “We generally do well against them and it is a game we should win.”