Cricket: We'll stay top says Wisbech skipper
Confident Wisbech skipper Gary Freear has issued a 'catch us if you can' challenge to the rest of Cambs Division One.
Confident Wisbech skipper Gary Freear has issued a 'catch us if you can' challenge to the rest of Cambs Division One.Wisbech stormed back to the top of the table after enjoying a perfect set of results last weekend.
While Freear's fancies were bowling Godmanchester seconds out for just 43, their main title rivals Nassington, Burwell and Ramsey were all losing.
As a result Wisbech are 14 points clear of Nassington with Burwell and Ramsey 21 points adrift. There is a maximum of 30 points available in a Cambs League match so Wisbech remain vulnerable ahead of their key match with Burwell, the team that employs former Zimbabwean international Grant Flower, at Harecroft Road Saturday (1pm).
Not that Freear is concerned. He said: "I tipped us to win the title at the start of the season and I still feel we have a great chance.
"We have Ramsey and Nassington to play at home after Burwell which is a big advantage. If the wickets get quicker we have a potentially lethal weapon in our fast bowler James Williams.
"We had the perfect day last Saturday when all the results went our way, but we must take advantage. It's a big tough game Saturday, especially if they bring Grant Flower with them.
"He doesn't always play for them because he still has one-day commitments with Essex so hopefully he will be absent, but we fancy our chances no matter who they bring with them.
"If we win Saturday we will have a good lead over them and I don't think Nassington are as strong as they were last season when they won the league.
"They haven't got Tariq Aziz any more and he is a big loss. It's our title to lose now, the other teams will have to play well to catch us."
Nassington actually thrashed Wisbech (it was 25-0 on points) when the teams met earlier in the season. They will expect to bounce back from last weekend's defeat by Sawston by beating out of form Godmanchester at home Saturday.
Ramsey host Sawston, while at the bottom end of the table Khalsa will hope to continue their climb away from trouble by seeing off Granta seconds at Woodlands.
The area's Division Two sides are all labouring in the bottom half of the table. All are at home Saturday with Barnack hosting Weston Colville, Castor entertaining Bluntisham and Yaxley welcoming Cambridge NCI.
Peterborough Town are determined not to let their season drift despite accepting they have no chance of winning the Northants Premier Division.
The city side won their first match in five at Desborough last weekend, but remained in fourth place, 59 points behind Finedon.
Town receive Stony Stratford at Bretton Gate (noon). Stratford have an exceptional bowler in left-arm seamer Steve Bellow and an outstanding batsman in former Zimbabawean international Deon Ebrahim, but Town have far greater strength in depth and will expect to win.
Experienced batsman Chris Jones returns to the fold Saturday after a month-long absence caused by a fractured hand.
Star turn Asim Butt is also expected to return with Paul Hillsdon and one other dropping to the seconds.
Town seconds are pushing hard for promotion from Division Four and Saturday travel to Rushton seconds.
Market Deeping entertain Bourne in the A15 derby in Rutland Division One on Sunday (1.30pm). Bourne will hope to have inspirational skipper David Christmas available.
Christmas broke a finger while completing a spectacular catch in last Sunday's Rutland match against Wisbech.
Leaders Oundle should stroll to a 12th win in 12 matches at Uppingham, while Peterborough Town will expect to beat Market Overton at Bretton Gate.
Cambridgeshire are in Minor Counties Champion-ship action against Lincs at Grantham for three days starting on Sunday.
Neither team has won a match in the Eastern Division so far. Cambs have drawn all three games and Lincs have drawn one and lost two.
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Thursday 29 July 2010
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