WISBECH-BORN Ed Rodgers proved to be March s match-winner, taking 4-17 before hitting 49 runs as the Tucker Gardner Division One Champions ran out comfortable six-wicket winners over their Fenland rivals. It was fourth-placed Wisbech s first defeat of th

WISBECH-BORN Ed Rodgers proved to be March's match-winner, taking 4-17 before hitting 49 runs as the Tucker Gardner Division One Champions ran out comfortable six-wicket winners over their Fenland rivals.

It was fourth-placed Wisbech's first defeat of the season.

March remain in third but moved 28 points ahead of their neighbours.

The visitors were on 112-1 and set for a big score when Rodgers stepped up to steal the show.

His first victim was the impressive James Williams, who along with county colleague and skipper Gary Freear had put Wisbech in a commanding position, with a 97-run third-wicket partnership.

But following the dismissal of Williams for 44 and Freear for 77, Wisbech were reduced to 166 all out, with none of the other batsmen making double figures.

Chris Peckett bowled in tandem with Rogers, as they shared eight wickets - Peckett finishing with 4-34.

On a good track that sort of total was never going to trouble the champions, with Rodgers falling leg before for 49 - an innings that included seven fours and two sixes. At the close Carl Chapman had raced on to 40 not out, with Steve Hinson 23 not out.

Williams took 2-56, while Ben Allsop and Craig Johnson took a wicket each for Wisbech, finishing on 1-28 and 1-38 respectively.

Matthew Parrin led the way with 54 not out as a great team performance saw Wisbech second team come away from high-flying Waresley seconds with an impressive four-wicket Hunts Division Two victory.

Parrin was well assisted by Carl Pope (36) and Sam Darlow (31) as Wisbech scored 212-6.

Waresley's response was hindered by Tom Bourne's 4-11.

Leverington were given a scare in the West Norfolk Division Two, but a 68 from Adam Fairbrother and 48 from Ian Cooper saw them edge past rock-bottom Munford, who are still looking for their first win of the season.

Batting first, Leverington were soon up against it as they collapsed to 41-4 and then 60-5.

Fairbrother and Cooper brought some respectability to the scoreline.

After Fairbrother was dismissed Dominic Mills came in to bat out the last three overs as Leverington finished on 201.

Leverington bowled tight to start off with but then the runs started to come at a good rate and they brought up 80 with out loss until Andrew Harben ran out Munford's opening batsman with a direct hit.

Damien Allen replaced Aaron Cobb but the pitch was not to his liking and went at more than eight runs an over.

Fairbrother's occasional off-spin was called for and he and skipper Mark Godfrey started to slow the run rate.

Fairbrother picked three quick wickets and brought Leverington back with a chance of winning.

Once Godfrey had finished his 12overs Cooper returned with Munford needing 50 to win with seven overs left.

Fairbrother's first five balls went for 18 and Munford were in the driving seat but an even slower ball from Fairbrother bowled Godfrey's danger man, Long.

Cobb was outstanding again bowling the last two overs for only seven runs and picking up a wicket.

Munford needed 20 off the last over but were restricted to only nine runs.

On Friday night Leverington went out of the Knock-out Trophy with a poor performance.

They were beaten by a strong Hospital team by six wickets with four overs remaining.

Batting first, Leverington lost wickets at regular intervals with Dean Reid (25) top scoring as Leverington batted their 20 overs for only 96 runs, which was never going to be enough.

A disappointing display saw Wisbech third suffer a 40-run West Norfolk Division Three defeat at Heacham.

After keeping the hosts down to 166-6, Wisbech stumbled to 126 all out, with Ken Smart their top scorer with 30 runs.

Dave Lemoir took 3-33 as an experienced Wisbech fourth team cruised to a six-wicket West Norfolk Division Four home win over Snettisham.

He was well assisted by Paul Strickle (2-13) and Nick Drew (2-34) who was the visitors all out for 109.

In reply openers Howard Atkins (20) and Martin Parrin (30) got Wisbech off to a solid start and the win was never in doubt as they finished on 110-4.

Dom Stannard's maiden century helped Wisbech seconds to a six-wicket friendly win at Upwood on Sunday.

Every Wisbech player had a bowl and the hosts finished on 189-9.

Wisbech's reply got off to a bad start when Stannard, who has been struggling for form in recent weeks, ran out his partner in the second over.

But he made amends with a sweet 100 not out and Jonny Strickle weighed in with 36 not out as Wisbech scored 190-4.