Lewis Kirk took a remarkable nine wickets as Clacton recorded a victory at East Bergholt by 112 runs, in Division Two of the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship on Saturday.

Kirk took all of the first nine wickets to fall, in East Bergholt’s lukewarm reply to Clacton’s total of 202 for nine off 45 overs.

Clacton’s tail had wagged during their innings, recovering from 111 for six due to useful late order knocks from Kieron Parkes (46) and Kirk (36).

But it was Kirk, the opening bowler – and son of former Suffolk stalwart Gary Kirk – who took all the plaudits as he ripped through the hosts’ batting line-up in sensational style. Kirk clean-bowled East Bergholt’s top four batsmen, and was facing the possibility of taking all 10 wickets when bowling No. 11 Ben McGrath to chalk up his ninth wicket.

However, his team-mate Imran Sheikh took the last wicket, removing top scorer Henry Foster (24) to deny Kirk a perfect haul. Kirk claimed figures of 14-4-37-9.

The best bowling analysis, in Division Two of the Two Counties Championship, remains South African C Van Tonder’s 10 for 27 for Felixstowe, back in 2000.

Clacton are currently fourth in the table, trailing leaders Coggeshall by 30 points.

Coggeshall enjoyed a 103-run win away at Ipswich, in a clash of the top two teams, boosted by a century from George Hanham in their total of 268 for four. Batting at No. 3, Hanham scored 120 off 111 balls, including four sixes and 15 fours. Hanham put on 97 for the second wicket with captain Robert Jagger (51) and 122 for the third wicket with Jimmy Rees (55 not out). Daniel Smith took three for 68 off 15 overs.

Ipswich were bowled out for 165, in 41.2 overs, skipper Joe Rusby top-scoring with 46 at the top of the order. Josh Morton was the main wicket-taker, with five for 39, backed up by three wickets for William Blackwell.

Ipswich had begun the day in top spot, but now trail Coggeshall by seven points. Coggeshall also have a game in hand over Ipswich.

Third-placed Copdock & Old Ipswichian 2nds claimed a four-wicket win at Lakenheath, thanks to a dominant display of batting from opener Jacob Marston.

Lakenheath were bowled out for 151, Shane Leech top-scoring with 38. The visitors slipped to 67 for five in their reply, but Marston saw them home with an unbeaten 82, off 125 balls, by the 42nd over.

Copford beat Kelvedon & Feering by three wickets, James Bell top scoring with 54.