Ben Shepperson led from the front as Mildenhall recorded an impressive 74-run win at Vauxhall Mallards on Saturday, in the Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League.

Shepperson struck 89 in the middle order as Mildenhall recovered from a poor start on a tricky wicket – they lost their top five batsmen with just 46 on the scoreboard – to reach 203 all out.

And Mallards were soon put to the sword by their Suffolk visitors, despite the absence of opening bowler Kyle Morrison (injured during the previous weekend’s victory at Burwell), and the recent departure of overseas star Tino Best.

South-African all-rounder Tyron Koen, Best’s replacement, had starred with the bat (92) on his debut at Burwell, but on Saturday it was his effectiveness with the ball that paved the way for back-to-back wins. Koen took four for 46, wrapping up the victory by claiming the last wicket, that of Brett Stolworthy, in the 49th over (129 all out).

Australian Peter Worthington, who opened the bowling, claimed figures of 8-3-11-2, while veteran spinner Murtaza Hussain, who had shared a match-winning partnership of 89 for the seventh wicket with Shepperson, took three for 37 off 16 overs.

“It was a tricky wicket. It was doing all sorts early on, sideways and up-and-down, and it turned later on in the day,” explained Mildenhall stalwart Shepperson.

“So I felt we did well to get to 203. Murtaza (Hussain) and I decided to try and bat to the end, and our partnership did make a massive difference.

“I’m happy with my form at the moment, getting some runs for the club (as well as Suffolk), while Murtaza, although not looking particularly good out there, is a very difficult batsman to get out.

“He knuckled down and stuck at it. Nothing fazes him.

- Ben Shepperson hopes to stay in the Suffolk county side for a long time

“Kyle (Morrison) has his ankle in a boot at the moment, which is a blow, but we do have strength in depth in our squad, and Tyron (Koen) has come in and made a big impact, initially with the bat, and now with the ball,” added Shepperson.

Shepperson’s 89 came off 111 balls, and featured 14 fours, while Hussain stuck around for 88 balls for his solid 43 at No. 8.

This was Mildenhall’s sixth win of the season, seeing them climb to sixth spot following promotion from the Two Counties Championship last summer. They entertain Norwich this Saturday.