Copdock & Ipswichian celebrated their fourth victory of the summer with a five-wicket success over Burwell & Exning, in a Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League clash.

Jason Pembroke took three early wickets to reduce the visitors to 37 for three, only for a big partnership of 138 for the fourth wicket between skipper Joseph Tetley (82) and Paul Summerskill (83) to put the brakes on Copdock.

However, South African Glenton Stuurman (18-1-58-2) and captain Chris Swallow (four for 57) then took a flurry of wickets to keep Burwell’s final total down to 264 for nine off their 64 overs. Pembroke had figures of 15-5-39-3.

Copdock lost both their openers cheaply – Swallow (11) and Reuben Sharpe (5) – but young Alex Oxley scored a mature 29 off 83 balls alongside ex-Kent professional Adam Ball, who provided the backbone of the innings.

This duo added 89 for the third wicket, before Ball stepped up a gear to reach his century in a 117-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Jack Beaumont.

Ball struck 123 off 132 balls, with three sixes and 14 fours, before he was bowled by Tyron Koen, but all-rounder Beaumont saw Copdock to victory with a sparkling 70 not out, off 64 balls.

Copdock reached their target off 54.1 overs, with just under a couple of overs in hand.

“We let Burwell off the hook by dropping a couple of catches,” said Copdock skipper Swallow.

“We dropped Tetley when he was only 20-odd, so that cost us more than 60 runs, and we dropped off Summerskill near the end of his innings, although that didn’t cost us too much.

“But we did well to restrict them, and Jason (Pembroke) again bowled brilliantly. James has been setting the tone with his bowling at the top of the innings. Indeed, I think he’s having the season of his life!

“He’s very consistent, and has been hitting the right areas. He has fully deserved being called up to Suffolk 2nds.

“Copdock is always a flat wicket, so we just sat in and limited the bad balls. It’s a very difficult place to defend a total, especially one under 300.

“Young Alex (Oxley) then batted very nicely, and Adam (Ball) never let their bowlers settle. He was upset to get out before the end, but Jack (Beaumont) saw us over the line to continue his fantastic season,” added Swallow.