Bury St Edmunds’ terrific run of five straight wins was ended by a terrible batting collapse in a mad dash for runs in a rain-affected heavy defeat by 121 runs at Burwell & Exning on Saturday.

As a result of this loss, at Exning Park, and Norwich’s win at Frinton, it again looks bleak for Bury, with just one round of matches to go this weekend.

Sean Park’s men, having done so well to clamber off the basement of the Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League, have returned to the bottom rung.

However, all is not lost because Bury might still avoid the threat of the end-of-season play-off games – while the Victory Ground club are away at Frinton on the final day, lowly rivals Norwich face a massive test at leaders Sudbury, who must win themselves to wrap up the title. Vauxhall Mallards are also not completely out of danger.

A win for Bury, and a defeat for Norwich, would leave the Norfolk club propping up the table and facing up to a battle with the champions from the three feeder leagues over a semi-final and final format, to see which the quartet is in the EAPL next year.

Unfortunately, though, Bury’s fate is no longer in their own hands.

Burwell & Exning, who were in danger of finishing bottom themselves, before this latest win, compiled a very useful 250 for six off a reduced 42 overs – light rain delayed the start until 1pm.

The hosts were boosted by a powerful 93 from Andrew Bramley at No. 3, and a quickfire 51 not out from Jamie Seabrook at No. 6.

Murray Commins was always going to be the key to Bury’s reply. The overseas star had masterminded Bury’s win over Copdock & OI the previous weekend, with a superb 83 not out.

And Commins was soon into his stride, putting on 91 for the first wicket with Alastair Allchin, before both openers fell in quick succession at the half-way point to prompt the batting collapse.

Allchin was stumped by Alex Scully off Jay Ghelani for 30, off 78 balls, while Commins’ slick 59 off 57 deliveries, featuring seven fours and a six, was ended by wicketkeeper Scully taking a catch off Josh Arksey (five for 22).

From 91 without loss, Bury lost their 10 wickets for the addition of just 38 runs to be bowled out for 129 in 33.1 overs. They had needed 160 off the final 21 overs with nine wickets in hand.