Wisbech keep title hopes on track but March sink deeper into trouble following Fen derby loss

Gary Freear played a captain’s innings to help Wisbech win by 66 runs at their Fen rivals March Town on Saturday.

The win keeps Wisbech, with three games left, well in the Tucker Gardner league title hunt. But it also pushed March closer to the drop.

Wisbech were put in to bat on a green wicket and found themselves 86-6 before a century seventh wicket stand put them on the road to 191 all out.

Gary Freear smacked 76 runs off 100 balls, with Jason Esser (29) providing good support.

First change seamer, Callum Young was outstanding for his 5-36, that included the wickets of in-form duo Danny Haynes and Josh Bowers. He was backed by Chris Ringham’s 2-37 and Andy Wright’s 2-43.

After tea, Brodie Ellis ripped through March’s top and middle order, taking 5-36.

Opening batsman Ash Vodnala held back the Wisbech tide almost single-handedly before he was given out stumped for 48.

It was not until the tailenders came to the wicket that anyone else made double figures.

A final wicket stand of 40 between Young (27no) and Ringham took March up to 125.

Wisbech trail leaders Godmanchester by 18 points, while March, who occupy the second relegation spot, are 22 points adrift of Saffron Walden II and 30 points adrift of Waresley.

Wisbech’s final games are at home to Ketton, away at Histon and a potential title decider at Godmanchester.

March face the daunting prospect of away games at Godmanchester, Burwell II and Waresley.

Freear said: “It was good to score some runs. I’ve not scored as many as I should have this season so it was good to dig us out of a bit of a hole.

“We were put in on a very green, slightly damp wicket and it was tough early on so it was a good result.

“Brodie Ellis has probably bowled better bit it was his turn to get a bit of luck. He bowled at the stumps.

“Hopefully Godmanchester will slip up against March or Ramsey. All we can do is keep winning.”

March captain Jody Betts said: “To see someone like Gary Freear coming in at seven makes the job a whole lot harder.

“It was disappointing we couldn’t get home. Bowling them out for 191 gave us the chance of a successful chase, but again, unfortunately, the application of quite a few batsmen wasn’t enough.

“Callum Young was excellent - our man of the match. He bowled very well and at the end added some vital runs which gave us another bonus point. That may or may not be enough at the end of the season.

“We have to be positive. We have three tough games, starting with Godmanchester, and its incredibly important we pick up some wins. Without them we will be going down.”