There was a mixture of disappointment and encouragement as Wisbech suffered a first defeat of the Cambs & Hunts Premier League season last Saturday.

Gary Freear’s men went down by three wickets at the hands of reigning champions Foxton in Whiting & Partners Division One.

Freear and fellow opener Danny Haynes both hit 55 to give Wisbech, runners-up last summer, a fine start as they put on 113 for the first wicket.

Wisbech were still handily placed at 136-2 when both half-centurions had departed, but their remaining eight wickets fell for the addition of just 59 further runs.

Wisbech were eventually dismissed for 195 after being undone by Foxton bowler David Fagan, who took 8-25.

The hosts made it past that target with an over to spare despite some good bowling from Jamie Gollands and Jamie Young, who claimed two wickets apiece for Wisbech.

Freear said: “We got ourselves going nicely and if myself or Danny could have gone on to get a really big score, it would have won us the game.

“We didn’t manage that and we didn’t add enough runs in the remainder of the innings.

“We just need to show a bit better application. It’s not all about coming in and trying to hit big and score quickly all of the time.

“We’ll look back on it as a result that got away, but the fact we didn’t play as well as we can do, yet still got very close to a good side, is encouraging.”

Wisbech are on the road again this Saturday as they go to Nassington, 12.30pm.

All-rounder James Williams has work commitments so Simon Freear will come in for a first Saturday outing at first-team level for more than two years.

The club’s 2nds launch their Cambs Senior League Division One campaign with a home clash against Fordham, 1pm.

The 3rds go to Cambridge St Giles 2nds for a Cambs Junior League Division Two North curtain-raiser, while the 4ths entertain Wimblington 2nds in Division Five North, both 1.30pm starts.