Downham Stow sneak home against near-neighbours Wisbech

Blustery chill greeted multi-sweatered cricketers for the start of the 2021 season but it was a red-hot finish for Downham Stow CC who won by two runs at home to near-neighbours Wisbech Town.

All three Downham Stow Saturday sides tasted victory.

While posting 213-7 in their 40 overs, almost all the Downham Stow top seven got useful time in the middle of the crease.

Keith Thomson registered 49, fellow opener Ian Harrison was run out for 44, top scorer Freddie Fairey 51 before being lbw, skipper Patrick Yates 29, Benjamin Wilcox 11 and wicket-keeper George Cook unbeaten on 10.

The hosts reduced Wisbech to 53-4, Dan Ward (8-3-17-2) getting rid of opener Danny Haynes (18) and county wicket-keeper/batsman Josh Bowers for a duck.

Cambs stalwart Gary Freear (63) and Jamie Garner (27) threatened to steal the game for the visitors with a fifth-wicket stand of 87 but Dom Corbett (3-39) dismissed them both with the score on 140.

Away tailender Josh Porter (30no) almost carried off an unlikely win but Downham Stow held their nerve.

Sam Sharp bagged a hat-trick as Downham Stow 2nds won by 152 runs.

Scores: Wisbech 2nds 80 (25ov: Sam Sharp 8-1-25-4, Kieran Knott 1-21, Samuel Morgan 2-11, Arthur Wilcox 2-7, Chris Sharp 1-6) lost to Downham Stow 2nds 232-4 (40ov: Jason Porter retired no 50, Tom High 24, A. Wilcox 20, Addam Todd retired no 50, C. Sharp no 40) by 152 runs. Wisbech won the toss.

Downham Stow 3rds set their Wisbech counterparts an imposing 268-2 target and triumphed by 119 runs.

Three Downham Stow players retired when reaching half-centuries: Andrew Knott, Ian Simmonds and Freddie Riddington, while Samuel Gilbert added 20 and Owen Stacey 44 not out.

Then Owen Stacey, Jack Stacey and Ollie Hooker bowled tight eight-over analyses as Wisbech were never in the hunt after losing early wickets.

Scores: Downham Stow 3rds 268-2; Wisbech 3rds 149 in 40ov (O. Stacey 8-3-17-4, J. Stacey 2-23, David Grady 2-9, O. Hooker 2-20). Downham Stow won the toss.

Downham Stow’s Sunday side won by three wickets with eight balls to spare at home to Mundford.

Robert Hooton, Clark McCarthy, Joshua Pepper and William Broad took wickets while Charlotte Beck bowled well on her senior debut.

Lee Pepper top-scored with 53 to help overhaul Mundford’s 217-6.

Scores: Mundford 217-6 (40 overs); Downham Stow 218-7 (38.4 ov: Samuel Gilbert 16, William Broad 23, Syed Islam 15, Lee Pepper 53, Ollie Hooker 10, Mike Broad 28 no).

Mundford won the toss and elected to bat.