WISBECH Town Cricket Club s first team sit top of the Tucker Gardener Division One after a superb performance from all-rounder James Williams and a half century from captain Gary Freear helped them to a seven-wicket victory over Histon on Saturday. Willi

WISBECH Town Cricket Club's first team sit top of the Tucker Gardener Division One after a superb performance from all-rounder James Williams and a half century from captain Gary Freear helped them to a seven-wicket victory over Histon on Saturday.

Williams bowled 4-39 from 14 overs and Mark Shepard (2-20), Ben Allsop (2-26) and Craig Johnson (2-24) all took two wickets each as visiting Histon were all out for 132.

Wisbech's opening batsmen David Wood and Simon Freear both went for seven runs.

But Gary Freear and Williams did the damage with Freear finishing on 55 before being caught and Williams 41 not out.

Sam Ablutt came in after his captain's dismissal to knock nine not out and help wrap up victory after 30.4 overs.

Gary Freear said: "It was a very good performance all round, but James Williams was outstanding. We all know what he's capable of but this was the first time he's bowled really well this season.

This win will give Wisbech confidence ahead of tomorrow's trip to Ramsey for another league fixture.

Freear said: "We beat them twice last season. They have strong bowlers but are not so good with the bat, so we'll look to capitalise on that weakness."

For the second consecutive week, Leverington claimed a convincing eight-wicket West Norfolk Division Two victory.

Leverington won the toss and bowled. Spingwood put on 48 for the first wicket.

As Damien Allen replaced Aaron Cobb the wickets soon started to come with Allen taking 5-35 and skipper Mark Godfrey replacing Ian Cooper picked up 2-25 as Leverington soon had Springwood in trouble.

Cobb came back on and finished the Springwood batting line up as they were all out for 109.

Leverington's reply started well with Kev Roberts and Shaun Sleight putting on 30 for the first wicket.

But Leverington then lost both openers for only 10 runs.

Paul Rockliffe (33) and Robert McGregor (31), playing his first game for two seasons, saw Leverington home by eight wickets.

Leverington travel next week to Bircham looking to carry on this good form.

Despite a fine knock of 45 from their opening batsman Ken Smart, Wisbech third team fell 65 runs short of their 206 target, in their West Norfolk Division Three match with Thornham.

D Lough (51) and K Williamson (68) helped Thornham to 206-7.

Ryan Van Waterschoot was Wisbech's best bowler with 3-36, while Sam Darlow finished on 2-24 and Paul Strickle took 1-31.

As well as Smart's 45 James Sheppard (21) and Strickle (22) were Wisbech's other top scorers but they were all out for 141.

Wisbech third team suffered a heavy nine-wicket West Norfolk Division Four defeat at Dereham third team on Saturday.

Tom Jupp and Martin Parrin were the only Wisbech batsmen able to make any sort of impact, scoring 22 runs each.

David LeMoir (1-25) was Wisbech's only wicket-taker as the hosts rushed to 106-1 in 22.2 overs.

Craig Johnson took four wickets for three runs for Wisbech first Sunday side, but they still lost their Rutland Division One match against Peterborough.

Peterborough were all out for 165, with T Bourne (3-36) also in fine bowling form.

Brad Apted (31) and David Boniface (29) were the top scorers in Wisbech's response which fell just 22 runs short.

Paul Strickle took 3-12 as Wisbech second team dismissed Upwood for 93 runs and then raced to a friendly win in 22 overs with six wickets to spare.

Wisbech's E Peck took 2-1.

Strickle was then Wisbech's main run-maker with 37 not out.