Bishop’s century lifts Bury St Edmunds

BURY St Edmunds and Clacton both drew but there were heavy defeats for Sudbury and Halstead in the Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League on Saturday.

Bury maintained their unbeaten start to the season and ended just 28 runs short of visitors Burwell in a high-scoring contest at the Victory Ground.

Tom Rash took an early wicket, and ended with all four to fall at a personal cost of 72, as Burwell batted solidly to reach 279 for four in their 66 overs. Tom Huggins only gave away 40 runs from 18 overs.

In reply Justin Bishop was in command, hitting one huge six out of the ground as he reached 106 before being stumped.

After his departure the teenage pair of Scott Harvey (42 not out) and Toby Adams (25 not out) batted sensibly but could not quite up the run rate sufficiently to reach their big target from 12 overs less than their visitors.

Bury wound up on 251 for four from 54 overs.

Clacton also sweated in the field as Vauxhall Mallards racked up 314 for seven in 64 overs. They made a terrific effort in reply, led by Garth Davison (72), Ben France (50) and George Brown (52). Then Ryan Chamberlain (34 not out) and Glen Barnard (30 not out) took up the challenge to add 60 in an unbroken eighth-wicket partnership that took the final score to 306 for seven, just eight runs adrift.

Sudbury also faced a daunting task at Swardeston, who scored 314 for eight before declaring after 61 overs. Ben Reece had taken the honours with a sterling effort with the ball to claim five for 70.

But the league newcomers were unable to make much of their reply and were bowled out for 132, with only Suji Janaka (46) and Adam Mansfield (34 not out) staying around for long.

George Walker, who was fourth on the list of wicket-takers last summer, claimed five for 24.

It was even worse for Halstead. Hosts Horsford had scored 250 for seven and Halstead were skittled for 44 in 21.1 overs. Wicket-keeper Chris Rayner was the only batsman to get into double figures. He made 12.

It was a sorry effort and, following an opening day win after being dismissed for 116 in a thrilling finish at Sudbury, Halstead have been bowled out for 79 and 44.

Gibbs Denley

East Anglian Premier League

Burwell 279 for 4 (66 overs: G Goosen 71no, P Summerskill 62no, W Lawton 52, P Richer 40, F Bester 27, T Rash 4 for 72). *Bury St Edmunds 251 for 4 (54 overs: J Bishop 106, T Huggins 35, S Harvey 42no, T Adams 25no). Bury (10pts) drew with Burwell (15).

Swardeston 314 for 8 dec (61 overs: J Abraham 115, I Tufts 59, M Thomas 47, G Walker 34, B Reece 5 for 70). *Sudbury 132 (39.2 overs: S Janaka 46, A Mansfield 34no, G Walker 5 for 24). Swardeston (30) bt Sudbury (4) by 182 runs.

*Vauxhall Mallards 314 for 7 dec (64 overs: C Amos 82, G Snyman 74, R Moores 64, P Free 31, A Shearer 21, S Gericke 3 for 73). Clacton 306 for 7 (G Davison 72, G Brown 52, B France 50, R Chamberlain 34no, G Barnard 30no, S Potger 4 for 48). Mallards (16) drew with Clacton (11).

*Horsford 250 for 7 (66 overs: M Wilkinson 56no, D Clark 51, M Warnes 36, C Spenceley 36, N Perry Warnes 32). Halstead 44 (21.1 overs: L Caswell 3 for 10, M Warnes 3 for 17). Horsford (30) bt Halstead (3) by 206 runs.

*Cambridge Granta 272 for 5 (J Atkinson 91, B Ackland 78, C Park 51). Norwich 122 (O Higenbottam 46, J Coleman 4 for 10, L Hill 4 for 31). Granta (30) bt Norwich (2) by 150 runs.

*Great Witchingham 300 for 4 (C Rogers 119no, Sam Arthurton 73). Saffron Walden 144 (J Hale 5 for 45). Gt Witchingham (30) bt Saffron Walden (2) by 156 runs.

* Denotes home team.