Wisbech skipper Gary Freear expects local rivals March to raise their game for the first Cambs & Hunts Premier League derby of the summer this weekend.

Freear’s men go to The Avenue, 12.30pm, to face a home side who are back in Whiting & Partners Division One after being relegated a couple of seasons ago.

“March have been struggling so far, but we know that form doesn’t count for a lot in these games,” said Freear.

“Years ago when we the weaker team we used to raise our game to play them. These days they’re the underdogs, but we know they will be fired up and out to beat us.”

Wisbech can ill afford another loss on their travels after going down by five wickets at Waresley last Saturday.

The locals were dismissed for just 127 – Jason Young providing the biggest contribution of just 25 - before being struck by a combination of controversy and misfortune.

A crucial caught-behind decision was not given and another catch was dropped early in Waresley’s reply when they were in bother at 12-2.

Freear added: “The wicket wasn’t great, but that’s not an excuse for our performance.

“Opting to bat first was probably a mistake on my part in hindsight, but we have to be better in that sort of situation and learn to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

“We felt 150 would have been a good score and in truth that would probably have been enough to win the game.

“We would have had Waresley in real trouble if that caught behind had been given and we had held the other catch, but it wasn’t to be.”

It was a bad weekend for Wisbech as they also suffered a first Division One defeat in the Rutland League the following day.

The table-toppers went down to a three-wicket reverse against bottom side Bourne, despite a second Sunday century from Parth Patel.

The overseas ace hit 113 and Freear fell just eight runs of a three-figure knock of his own as Wisbech amassed 262-7 from their 45 overs, but that tally was eclipsed by the visitors with nine balls to spare.

Wisbech go to second-placed Ketton this Sunday.