Wisbech skipper Gary Freear admits that lifting the Cambs & Hunts Premier League title may now be beyond his side.

Wisbech slipped to a three-wicket defeat at the hands of leaders Ketton in a top-of-the-table Whiting & Partners Division One clash last Saturday.

Freear’s men have now dropped to third in the standings – 62 points behind their conquerors. Closing that gap will be a tall order in a league where there are only a maximum of 30 points on offer for a victory.

“We have to admit the winning the title looks unlikely from this position,” said Freear.

“Ketton have a good lead and also still have three of the weaker sides to play, but we always go out on a Saturday afternoon to win and that won’t change.

“We will hope to equal our runners-up finish of last season at the very least and hopefully we can still put a bit of pressure on Ketton.

“They have just been doing enough in games rather than blowing teams away. We just need a couple of tight matches to go the other way.”

Freear admitted Wisbech didn’t put enough runs on the board when being removed for 155.

A fine five-wicket haul from Jamie Gollands kept them firmly in the game, but they were on the receiving end of a moment of controversy when Ketton skipper Rob Vitas was given not out despite clipping Freear to short leg.

The Wisbech captain added: “Even Rob admitted after the game that he hit it.

“It’s very frustrating when something like that goes against a team in a top-of-the-table clash, and it could well turn out to be a big moment in the season.”

Wisbech host reigning champions Foxton at Harecroft Road on Saturday, 12.30pm start.

Josh Bowers is away at a wedding so recent signing Dan Jones, who has arrived from Burwell, will don the wicket-keeping gloves for his first-team debut.

Wisbech continue to lead the way from Ketton in another title race.

They retained their 30-point cushion at the top of the Rutland League courtesy of a seven-wicket success at Market Deeping last Sunday.

Captain Dom Stannard and Bowers both hit 54 in a smooth chase as Wisbech eased past their hosts’ offering of 166.