WISBECH started their Rutland League campaign on Sunday, but they were made to pay for a poor fielding performance at home to Buckminster. It began well for the home side when a solid batting performance gave them a good score of 250-4 in their 45 overs.

WISBECH started their Rutland League campaign on Sunday, but they were made to pay for a poor fielding performance at home to Buckminster.

It began well for the home side when a solid batting performance gave them a good score of 250-4 in their 45 overs.

Openers Simon Freear (34) and David Wood (61) got the home side off to a great start and despite losing Sam Albutt and Brad Apted to ducks, Wisbech recovered with excellent innings from James Williams (76 not out) and Gary Freear (60 not out). Gary Freear reached his half century from only 34 balls.

Buckminster lost their opening batsman for a duck but six dropped catches in the Wisbech field allowed the visitors to recover.

Walker (94) took advantage to push the visitors on and although Craig Johnson picked-up 4-60 from 10 overs, Buckminster reached their target with three wickets and an over to spare.

Williams and Simon Freear forged a vital batting partnership on Saturday when Wisbech entertained Downham in a friendly fixture.

The visitors were restricted to 199 all out thanks to some disciplined bowling from James Fountain (3-32) and Gary Freear (2-21).

The Wisbech response began badly when they lost early wickets cheaply but Freear (55) and Williams (63 not out) turned the game around and the home team reached their target with two wickets intact and four overs to spare.

Wisbech celebrated a surprising and exciting victory in their annual match against the MCC, played last week.

The visitors produced a solid batting display to declare on 215-4. Williams (2-23) and Mark Sheppard were the home wicket-takers.

And the MCC held the advantage at the end of day one after Wisbech replied with a score of 186-9 declared.

Simon Freear (29), Sam Albutt (38), Williams (43) and skipper Gary Freear (28) were the pick of the home batsmen.

But the match turned dramatically after lunch on day two and superb bowling from Paul Strickle (3-14) and Williams (3-18) wiped-out the MCC batting order for just 151.

The game remained in the balance until Gary Freear, batting at number six, scored 75 not out to lead Wisbech to victory with two wickets remaining.