Vodnala stars as March pick up valuable win against Histon

Tucker Gardner Division 1

March secured only their second win of the season – their first at The Avenue – against Histon to secure a valuable 25 points.

March elected to bat first but found it difficult to score runs against the Histon attack.

Ash Vodnala top-scored with 69 as March posted 166-8 from their 48 overs.

After the tea break, early wickets for Tyler Phillips, Callum Young with the help of some quick hands from Scott Welcher and a direct hit run out from David Hodson left the visitors struggling on 12-3.

A superb one-handed, low, diving slip catch from Tommy Howgego helped Young claim his second wicket as he finished with 2-25 from his 12 overs.

Chris Ringham returned from injury to claim 2-12 from eight overs and narrowly missed out on a hat-trick as the ball went over the top of the stumps.

Ash Vodnala and Andy Wright put March on the brink of victory but the game looked to be heading for a draw until Toby Nulty claimed a catch at short-leg off Vodnala’s bowling to end a 12-over partnership and secure the victory.

Man of the match Vodnala finished with 3-37 from 10.5 overs to complete a good all-round performance.

Wisbech maintained their title challenge with a 99-run victory over Burwell at Harecroft Road.

Sam Albutt opened with 60, but number three Josh Bowers led the way with 84 not out as Wisbech declared on 252-7.

Burwell’s reply got off to a bad start with Paul Edgeller taking opener Merrick Fuller for a golden duck. Further early wickets saw the visitors fall to 37-3.

Burwell failed to recover from the bad start, despite 49 from Daniel Jones, and they were all out for 153.

CCA Senior Division 1

Chatteris’ good form ended in disappointing circumstances with a seven-wicket loss against second-placed Great Shelford.

Chatteris lost the toss and were put into bat on what looked like a good pitch.

Wickets fell at regular intervals and, if it wasn’t for a dogged innings of 63 from Peter Munns, the score would have been considerably lower – the next highest score was 16 from Ben Perry.

Chatteris managed to get themselves to 156 all out, which was about 60-70 runs below a par score taking into account the pitch and outfield.

Taking to the field, Chatteris knew that they needed early wickets and got them with captain Anthony Palmer bowling the opening batsman in the first over.

Palmer picked up another in the seventh over, leaving Great Shelford 22-2.

The next wicket didn’t come until the 17th over when Steve Piper bowled a beauty, Great Shelford now on 53-3.

But in the end it was all in vain and an outstanding knock of 108 from K Munday took Great Shelford to a comfortable victory.

Palmer said: “It was disappointing to only score 156 on that wicket. The outfield was very fast and quite a few batsmen got starts but didn’t convert.

“We simply have to bounce back next week with another tough game against fulbourn.”

Tomorrow, Chatteris are at home to Fulbourn. The seconds are away to table-topping Terrington.

March II fell to a seven-wicket defeat at Cambridge St Giles.

James Hilliard opened with 30, supported by John Wallis’ 26 and Richard Green’s 23, but March offered little extra resistance as they fell to 137 all out.

Granta reached their target within 26 overs, with opener Phil Rennie scoring 48 and Russell Doel finishing not out on 44.

CCA Senior Division 2

Wisbech II are still top but their lead was cut after a seven-wicket defeat at Longstanton Grasshoppers.

Wisbech were all out for 130, with Grasshoppers reaching their target with ease.

CCA Junior Division 2N

Leverington fell an agonising three runs short in their chase for victory against Isleham.

Batting first, Isleham made 194-9 with Mark Godfrey, John Gill and Ian Cooper taking two wickets apiece.

James Dod led Leverington’s reply with 31, supported by Barrie-John Carter with 29 and Andy Reid with 25.

However, they were unable to find the four runs they needed in the final over to take victory – they ended on 191-9.

Elsewhere, Wisbech III cruised to a seven-wicket victory at home to Cambridge NCI II.

Opening bowler Danny Emmington took 5-36 as Cambridge were bowled out for 127. In reply, opener Adrian Clare finished not out on 44 as Wisbech reached their target within 28 overs.

CCA Junior Division 3N

Terrington St Clement continued their surge toward promotion with a six-wicket victory over Pymoor.

Terrington bowled Pymoor out for 165, before comfortably reaching their target.

They now sit 64 points above second-placed Chatteris II, who didn’t play on Saturday and now have three games in hand.

Third-placed Wimblington maintained the pressure on the two teams with victory over Willingham at Parkfield Sports Club.

Willingham scored 178-3 off their 40 overs, which was reached by Wimblington with four wickets to spare.

March Town III, fourth in the table, cruised to a 55-run victory over Haddenham.

March scored 230-5 off their 40 overs, before bowling Haddenham out for 175.

CCA Junior Division 6N

Wisbech IV made it a team double over Cambridge NCI with a two-wicket victory over NCI IV with a ball to spare.

John Mallett took 3-13, including five maidens, off 10 overs as NCI were restricted to 147-9.

Opener Thomas Dunning led the way with 60 as Wisbech reached their target off 39.5 overs.

Ernie Wool Trophy

March II lost to Ramsey by 27 runs at The Avenue on Sunday.

The young Ramsey side struggled early on and faultered to 76-7 before a run dash at the end saw them reach 200-8 in their 40 overs. Sam Mason, Dan Waltham and Geoff Kirby all took two wickets apiece for the home side.

March put on 41 for the first wicket, however they were bowled out for 173.

Star of the innings was 20-year-old opening bowler Mason, who struck a powerful 59 (six fours and one six). Ioan Foreman supported with 27.