Murray Commins and Hugo Stanton batted Bury St Edmunds to ultimate safety in the Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League, thanks to a terrific unbroken opening partnership at Ashlyns Road on Saturday.

Chasing home side Frinton’s total of 211 for six off a reduced 40 overs, after former Essex county stalwart Jaik Mickleburgh had helped himself to a century, Bury made short work of reaching their target.

A dominant Commins finished on 121 not out, and Stanton was unbeaten on 68, as Bury raced to 214 without loss in 32.3 overs, and so register a crushing 10-wicket win with 7.3 overs in hand.

Even more importantly, Norwich’s defeat at champions Sudbury, by 123 runs, ensured that Bury clambered off the basement on the final day, so avoiding the heartache of a play-off battle to try and retain their EAPL status.

Bury had spent virtually the whole of the summer propping up the league, having won just one of their first 15 matches.

But a remarkable run-in saw Sean Park’s rejuvenated side rattle up a further six wins from their last seven matches to again escape the clutches of possible relegation.

This has been a familiar story of recent seasons for Bury, but things really were looking bleak this time around when they were cast adrift at the bottom.

In the end, they finished nine points clear of Norwich, who won only five matches all summer but did accumulate more bonus points (120 as opposed to 82) than their Victory Ground rivals.

Skipper Park won the toss and elected to field, and it was only Mickleburgh that propped up Frinton’s innings, with no other home player advancing past 30.

Dominic Manthorpe impressed with figures of three for 31, as did his new-ball partner George Loyd (two for 38), while Sean Cooper’s eight overs cost just 30.

Mickleburgh struck 119 off 108 balls, with two sixes and 15 fours, before he was the fifth wicket to fall. Kyran Young made 27.

Bury’s opening pair then guided their side to an impressive victory, South African batsman Commins blasting 121 off 91 balls, with 18 fours and a couple of sixes.

Stanton played more watchfully, but just as effectively, facing 108 deliveries for his 68, which included nine fours.

It was the perfect end to another challenging season for Bury.