Wisbech too strong for Ashwell

WITH Ashwell making the long trip to Wisbech on Saturday, the club decided to incorporate the fixture into a little tour of Norfolk and the Fens. The weekend began on Friday with a narrow victory over Holkham at the stunning setting of Holkham Hall. Ashwell made 232-8 (Tom Simmons 62*, Dominic Simmons 51*, Martin Talks 47) before restricting Holkham to 203-8 in reply.

At Wisbech, heavy cloud greeted Ashwell’s arrival and Wisbech had no hesitation in asking Ashwell to bat first. Opening bowlers Haynes and Baxter swung the ball around in helpful conditions and both had taken a wicket before the rain interrupted proceedings with Ashwell 42-2 in the 10th over.

On the resumption, Jonathan Merrell and Martin Talks continued their partnership and eventually put on 58 before Talks was caught in the covers for 14. Merrell scored 75, including 15 boundaries, and went on to share in another stand of 50-plus with Mark Stier (14), before he was out with Ashwell’s score at 137-5. Stier remained until the end of the innings before being last man out as Ashwell recorded a total of 160.

Gary Simmons bowled an excellent spell as Wisbech’s response began, having no luck at all as edges went to ground and other aerial shots dropped agonisingly out of the reach of fielders.

Stannard, with 70, was the mainstay of Wisbech’s innings although Simmons (2-30) kept them in check, and Rufus Talks’ first over yielded two wickets and suddenly had Wisbech wobbling from 118-3, to 130-6.

With the light fading and 30 runs still needed, Ashwell had a whiff of glory, but Hodgson (15*) calmly saw Wisbech home.

On Sunday, Ashwell travelled to Hunstanton to complete the tour and won an enjoyable game by seven wickets. Hunstanton scored 172-7 (Merrell 4-20), Ashwell 176-3 (George McKenzie 50*, David McKenzie 50*).