IT WENT down to the wire for March I on Saturday but a dogged performance gave them a thrilling one wicket win at home to Nassington. The Tucker Premier game seemed to be going the way of the visitors after a first wicket stand of 176 between Jon Porter a

IT WENT down to the wire for March I on Saturday but a dogged performance gave them a thrilling one wicket win at home to Nassington.

The Tucker Premier game seemed to be going the way of the visitors after a first wicket stand of 176 between Jon Porter and Adam Craig.

Once the partnership was broken, March were able to take wickets but Nassington still posted a good score of 241-6. Chris Ringham and Chris Peckett led the home bowling attack with two wickets apiece.

There would not have been many March supporters backing a win when the home side were reduced to 24-2 and 65-4 but the league champions showed their fighting spirit.

Matthew Vail proved to be the match-winner with an unbeaten 60 but it was the support he received from Carl Chapman (36) and tail-ender, Jon Gilson (30) that put March back on track.

The home side held on to their final wicket and Vail hit the winning runs to give March an unlikely victory.

In the CCA Senior League Division One, March II were forced to chase another big score at Fulborn on Saturday.

The home side's main run-scorers led charmed lives in the field before Grove (77) and Hodgson (103) pushed the Fulborn total to 253-8.

Stand-in skipper Richard Green returned best figures of 4-59 but even he struggled at times when the ball was dispatched to the boundary in the blazing heat.

There was also a welcome return to second team cricket for Rudi Oosthuizen, who opened the attack and picked up an impressive 2-51.

An excellent third wicket partnership between John Wallis (63) and teenager Lewis Hilliard (40) gave March some hope but a defensive field resulted in the visitors finishing 65 runs short.

Saturday also proved to be a disappointing day for the March third team, who slumped to a 100-run defeat at Fenstanton.

Greg Short was in fine form to take 4-49 as the home side battled to a score of 187-8 from 40 overs.

March got off to a solid start but once the first wicket fell, they collapsed form 21-1 to 87 all out. Norman Alterton top scored with 18.

However, March IV gave the home fans something to cheer when they recorded a good three wicket win against Isleham in CCA Junior Division Four.

Like March's first team, the fourths had to show their grit after the visitors had posted a solid score of 205 all out. Shepherd starred with the ball as he returned excellent figures of 8-1-50-4.

Once again, the March team dug in and a superb innings James Norman (51) spurred the home side on to their target with three wickets in hand.

MARCH Cricket Club's annual barbecue and disco will be held at the pavilion on Friday, July 7.

The event will run from 7.30pm to midnight with a hot buffet served at 8.30pm and a disco.

Tickets cost £7.50 for adults and £5 for juniors. For more information contact Les Mills on 01354 656698.