A BRUTAL century from Gary Freear helped Wisbech Town win their opening Rutland League game of the season against Kings Keys on Sunday.

Freear smashed 135 off just 111 balls to lead Wisbech to a comfortable 136-run win and give his side a timely confidence boost ahead of their Tucker Premier Division One opener against St Ives tomorrow.

Henry Rosier (61) was the other major contributor as Wisbech posted 262-4 - a total which proved far too many for Kings Keys who capitulated to 126 all out. Ben Allsop (3-15) and David Wood (3-43) were the pick of the bowlers.

Freear said: “It was a handy innings because I had felt really out of touch. It sounds stupid but I didn’t even bat that well.

“We are now as ready as we’re going to be. We would like to go for the title but we need to start well - that can be key and we need to get on a roll.

“If you lose a few games early on then you’re forever playing catch-up. A lot may depend on some of the younger guys stepping up.”

Wisbech’s win came days after they had missed out on a memorable triumph over the MCC - losing by just three runs in the thrilling friendly at Harecroft Road last week.

Chasing 250 for victory, Wisbech looked to have pulled off an incredible comeback when Dom Stannard and Simon Freear put on 74 for the eighth wicket.

But the hosts fell agonisingly short, with Simon Freear, Stannard and Tom Bourne all dismissed in a frantic last eight balls.