Rams set fair for visit of old rivals
So, for the first time since 2021 we have an EAPL battle between two sides vying to be the top dog in Cambridgeshire. These two teams last met in the Rams ‘invincibles’ season of 2019. Wisbech will be pleased that centurion Matthew Hague and fellow opener Waqas Hussain are no longer in the squad but less pleased to see that Stafford, Guest, Clilverd, Smith, Vandepeer, and Heath are still around.
However, when talking of service and longevity it would be remiss of me not to mention Messrs. Friar, Bowers and Williams. No not a firm of Fenland solicitors but three names synonymous with Wisbech and Cambridgeshire cricket. Play-cricket lists 844 games for Gary with almost 30k runs at an average of forty-two and 1013 wickets at eighteen. A young Frear’s career shows a 1996 debut for the thirds. James Williams is listed at 490 games almost 12k runs at thirty-two and 518 wickets at seventeens. Josh Bowers record includes 880 dismissals and 15k runs at twenty-nine. The lesser known, at least outside of the Fens, Danny Haynes is listed with 504 appearances and 11,631 runs.
The 2023 Wisbech squad is pretty much the side that gained promotion last year. With the experienced players supported by overseas Ryan Clark and some good young talent in Porter, Garner and Gowler. Wisbech, however have been hampered by an injury to Northamptonshire contracted quickie Gowler that has restricted his bowling this term. As their amazing 2022 play-off win showed they are a determined and tight nit bunch who fight for each other. They currently sit bottom of the EAPL but the Rams know that the added spice of an intra-county match means that they cannot be taken lightly. Wisbech skipper and County coach James Williams also knows a lot of the Sawston player’s games!
The Rams make two changes with Louis Kimber, back after a good knock for Leicestershire, and Alex Stafford coming in for White and Lewis as they seek a fourth successive red ball win.
Elsewhere Copdock, who are also striving for four on the bounce entertain current leaders Mildenhall in what looks like the game of the day. Swardeston are at home to Horsford as they try to match Copdock. Bury face Witham, Witchingham are at home to Frinton and Walden take on Sudbury in the other matches.
The Rams are also in Conference Cup action on Sunday. Sunday is also a minor counties day so Sawston have a few missing. This gives a few second teamers another opportunity to impress with Hague, O’Brien, McLean, Worsdale and Raven stepping up. The visitors, Banstead, sit third in the top division of the Surrey league and have three wins and one defeat so far. They defeated Bromley in round one.
The seconds visit St. Ives and Warboys on Saturday looking for a bit of success against a side that doubled them last year. They are without skipper Ant Phillips and Marc Pearson but may have Hague, McLean, Yousuf Choudhary and Scott Stanford returning as they seek a fourth successive victory to stay top of Whiting’s Two.
On Saturday we have a double header when the thirds and fourths meet Bassingbourn firsts and seconds. With wins scarce for all these sides both camps will be looking for moral boosting victories.
The fourths are in cup action on Sunday when they entertain Harlton.