The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Ton-up Gary is a smash hit in Wisbech’s wonderful weekend
Cricket - John Wilcox Cup final
There’s no doubt about the man of the moment at Wisbech Cricket Club right now.
Big-hitting Gary Freear has had a wonderful Bank Holiday weekend, steering the Fen side to a local derby success against arch enemy March on Saturday and a cup final victory on Monday.
In the Rutland League’s John Wilcox Cup final at Barnack, Wisbech beat holders Oundle by 87 runs and the big man once again proved he’s the man for the big occasion.
The burly opener clobbered the Oundle attack with a man-of-the-match performance. He scored 116 off 151 balls to help Wisbech to a very impressive 286-7 off their 50 overs.
It was Freear’s sixth ton of the season and the 46th of his career. He hit 13 fours and two sixes and received good support from Ali Anthony (40) and Parth Patel (35).
Oundle lost both openers cheaply in reply and although middle order men Bashrat Hussain (73) and Mark Hodgson (51) steadied the ship, they were always behind the required run rate and eventually they were bowled out for 199 in 45 overs.
Freear also led the way for Wisbech in the Cambs League Division One derby against March.
He opened the batting and helped himself to 76 runs off 98 deliveries, clouting 10 fours and a six.
That steered Wisbech to a tasty 246-8 off 50 overs with Danny Haynes (37) the next best contributor.
March were then despatched for 162 with number 10 batsman Lewis Welcher their top scorer with 34.
There was a shock defeat for Division One table-toppers Ketton, who went down at home by 31 runs to fifthplaced Saffron Walden.
The visitors were bowled out in 49.2 overs for 223 but then Ketton suffered a top order collapse in reply and were in trouble at 33-4.
Zeeshan Manzoor came to the rescue with 78 and Mitchell Thomas hit 32 but it wasn’t enough and Ketton were bowled out for 192.
Ketton still lead the table by 14 points from Ramsey, who beat Foxton by 30 runs.
Ryan Smith hit 64 for Ramsey as they were bowled out for 220 in 49.3 overs and then Foxton were dismissed for 190 with Isaac Love taking 4-28.
Nassington suffered a crushing 10-wicket defeat at Waresley after folding for just 71 in 22.2 overs. Only Conor Craig (38) managed to reach double-figures.
In Division Two, Castor were 43-run winners against Blunham. Cameron Dockerill scored 50 out of Castor’s 162 all out and then Joseph Higgins took 3-16 as Blunham went for 119.