THERE were two Fenland cricket derbies involving March and Wisbech teams on Sunday and honours were shared. In the Rutland League Division Two match at the Avenue, March I conquered their Wisbech counterparts, largely thanks to a superb five-wicket haul f

THERE were two Fenland cricket derbies involving March and Wisbech teams on Sunday and honours were shared.

In the Rutland League Division Two match at the Avenue, March I conquered their Wisbech counterparts, largely thanks to a superb five-wicket haul for Richard Green.

March got off to a good start as openers Andrew Mills (39) and Peter Hills (52) put on 98 for the first wicket. But once Wisbech bowlers James Williams (2-16), Craig Johnson (2-62) and Dominic Stannard (2-88) got in their stride, home wickets began to tumble.

Matthew Vail (31) and Rob Tombs (21) stood firm in the middle order to guide March to 192-7 after 45 overs.

The early loss of Dan Wood put the visitors on the back foot and Wisbech struggled to make in-roads.

But the visitors gave themselves a chance when Gary Freear (48) and Dan Mason (47) got to the crease. But the fall of Freear's wicket proved decisive and the lower order were quickly dispatched by Richard Green's 5-29 as Wisbech finished 21 runs short.

It was a different story in the Fenland Trophy match played between the March and Wisbech second teams.

Only Dan Furnell (40) made it in to double figures as the Wisbech bowlers caused havoc. Devastating spells of bowling from Doug Lemoir (4-10) and Ryan van Waterschoot (3-15) saw off the March order and the visitors were eventually dismissed for 83.

The total proved no problem for the Wisbech batsmen despite fine bowling from March's Phil Goodfellow (3-19) and an unbeaten 50 from Paul Strickle helped the home side to victory with six wickets to spare.

There were two other Rutland League fixtures for the March and Wisbech teams on Saturday and the Fenland teams romped home.

March's home match to Nassington was memorable for Shardul Brahmbhatt whose magnificent 130 not out helped March to an imposing total of 259-3 from 45 overs. He was ably supported by Andrew Mills (48) and Jon Gilson (53 not out).

Once the opening Nassington partnership was broken on 43, the visitors stood no chance as Chris Peckett (5-19) and Richard Green (3-12) demolished the batting order for just 104 .

At Wisbech, the home team posted a very good score of 260 against Yaxley as all but two batsmen made it in to double figures. James Williams (55) led the way with Gary Freear (43), Dan Mason (37), and James Fountain (34) all putting in good innings.

Once Claypole had been dismissed for 95, Yaxley chased runs but lost wickets to James Fountain, who returned 5-24 and helped to bowl out the visitors for 198 after 42 overs.

Another batting highlight of the weekend came in March II's Fenland Trophy match at Ely and Haddenham.

The March bowlers worked hard to limit the home side to 183 all out and Stuart Arnold (3-32), James Haslegrave (3-46) and David Haslegrave (2-14) all returned good figures.

March recovered from the early loss of Damien Hinson, and John Wallis scored a magnificent 126 not out, with the support of brother Stephen (41) to push the visitors to their target with six wickets and two overs to spare.

DODDINGTON'S first team are on the up again after they secured their sixth promotion in eight years.

The promotion to CCA Senior League Division Two was already confirmed before Saturday's match but the home victory against Isleham put the icing on the cake.

League runners-up Doddington batted well to reach a score of 214-7 from 45 overs. Skipper Antony Bamford led the way with a fine 79 but other useful contributions came from the bats of Mathew Bamford (34), Nick Usher (25), Pat O'Connor (22 not out) and Kiran Brahmbhatt (22).

Isleham pushed hard to reach their target and the result went down to the wire but the efforts of Adam Costall (4-44) and a two-wicket haul from Mathew Bamford helped to secure a 13-run victory.