Former captain Chris Ringham’s five wickets helped March Town pick up their first league win of the season.

March came in to the game at Saffron Walden II on the back of three Tucker Gardner league losses.

Things didn’t look promising when, chasing 165 to win, Saffron Walden were 55-0.

But the ball started swinging and Ringham (5-29) took full advantage. Ash Vodnala, who made 62 in March’s innings of 164 all out, chipped in with 2-17, while Tommy Howgego took 2-26 as the hosts were bowled out for 142, 22 runs short of the target.

Ringham’s batting also proved crucial. He and Scott Welcher added 30 runs for the final March wicket, giving the bowlers something to defend.

Ringham said: “It was a very good win. It was nice to get our first win of the season because the longer it drags on the worse it gets for the team.

“To be honest, we didn’t score as many as we should have. Tyler Phillips (the captain) wanted 200 so it was disappointing to fall 40 short. In the end, the last wicket stand of 30 turned out to be quite important.

“When they were 50-odd for none we were up against it. When I took the first wicket I thought it would just be a consolation wicket.

“But after 10 overs the ball, for some unknown reason, started swinging for me.”

Up next for March is a trip to one of the league’s big-hitters Ramsey on Saturday. Ringham acknowledges it will be a “tough” game, but he says they have nothing to fear.

He said: “It’s going to be a tough game. Ramsey are a very good team. However, the win has given us a huge boost.

“Ramsey have already slipped up once this season. There’s no reason why they can’t slip up again.”

Off the ground, March’s cricket and hockey teams joined forces to host a highly successful Talents and Favours evening last Friday.

Resident auctioneer and first team captain Jody Betts entertained the large audience to help raise more than £3,000. The money will be shared equally between the clubs to support youth development within their sections.

March Cricket Club secretary Stephen Wallis said: “Both clubs would like to thank all those members and local businesses who kindly donated items for the auction and to everyone who so generously supported the special event.”