Club captain, Darren Batch, heaped praise on all-rounder Ben Reece for his important role in Sudbury’s victory over visiting Norwich, by 45 runs at Friars Street on Saturday.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ben Reece, who top-scored with 62 not out, and took two wickets, in Sudbury's success over Norwich by 45 runs.Ben Reece, who top-scored with 62 not out, and took two wickets, in Sudbury's success over Norwich by 45 runs. (Image: Archant)

In-form Sudbury are one of four teams to have won all three of their opening matches in this season’s Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League.

Sudbury did not look back from the moment that first-team skipper Tom Huggins won the toss and elected to field, even though the influential Huggins fell cheaply at the top of the order.

Fellow opener and Suffolk county captain Adam Mansfield made 32, putting on 56 for the second wicket with Batch (18), but it was Reece who helped guide Sudbury to a final total of 208 for nine off their allotted 50 overs.

Reece was 62 not out at the close of innings, batting at No. 5, sharing a stand of 47 for the sixth wicket with Daniel Poole (20).

“It was a key innings from Ben (Reece), because obviously it was not ideal Tom (Huggins) getting out early,” explained Batch.

“Ben came in when the score was 66 for three, and he went on to play a very responsible innings.

“He had to rein in his naturally attacking style until near the end, when he then started to play his shots. It was also good for Dan (Poole) to make a contribution,” added Batch.

Norwich looked dangerous with opener Oliver Higenbottam and Will O’Donnell at the crease. They accumulated a brisk 53 for the second wicket until New Zealander O’Donnell was undone by James Poulson for 34.

Opener Higenbottam carried his bat for an unbeaten 88, but wickets tumbled at the other end as Norwich were bowled out for 163.

“It’s another win under our belts,” continued Batch.

“The wicket of O’Donnell was crucial. He advanced down the pitch to James (Poulson), got a top-edge and was caught by Ben Reece at deep mid-wicket.

“After that we kept it tight. They found it difficult to score and so had to take risks.

“So it was another fine performance to continue our fine start to the season.”

Poulson ended with figures of 8.5-0-36-4, and he had good support from the likes of Dustin Melton (7-0-32-2) and Reece (6-2-33-2).

This Saturday, Sudbury are away at felow unbeaten side Cambridge Granta.