DAVE Walker was the star of the show but failed to stop Wimblington slumping to defeat against Wisbech Thirds on Saturday.

Walker took four wickets for 44 runs in his nine overs in the CCA Junior League 2A clash at Parkfield in Wimblington and then scored 59 runs in reply.

But his innings – and a knock of 46 from David Pomfrett – failed to stop Wimblington falling 32 runs short of their 243 target.

Opener Sam Darlow top scored for Wisbech with 45, but he fell short of his half-century when Harry Yardy caught him off Walker’s bowling.

Walker also took the wickets of Gary Alexander (lbw for 43), Martin Knowles (caught and bowled for 20) and James Shepherd (bowled for 13).

Darlow’s fellow opener Paul Strickle was out on 27, caught by Mark Woodall off Jason Bullman’s bowling, and Jason Esser and Richard Harnwell were both run out for 26 and a duck respectively.

But number eight Robbie Harris scored 26 and number nine Martin Parrin scored 21 to push Wisbech’s total up to 243 from their 40 overs.

Wimblington’s response started poorly, with opener Chris Gowler out for one run, number three Alan Hanrahan out for four and number four Ed Gowler out for 16. Number one Woodall was out for 21.

Walker and Pomfrett led the recovery at numbers five and six, but when they fell Wimblington were a beaten side.

Adrian Bussey continued the fight with a spirited 27 and Jason Bullman was bowled for four runs. Harry Yardy and Chris Judge finished not out on five and 10 respectively, but Wimblington finished their 40 overs on 211-8.

John Mallet was Wisbech’s top bowler with three wickets for 47 runs from his 10 overs. Kieran Haynes and Parrin took two wickets each and Paul Strickle took one wicket – the prized wicket of Walker.