Copdock & Old Ipswichian came up against an in-form South African, Nicholas Smit, as they succumbed to a defeat at Vauxhall Mallards by 31 runs in the East Anglian Premier League on Saturday.

Smit proved the difference between the two sides. He was the only player to get above 40, hitting an unbeaten 91 at No 4 to give Copdock a stern target.

Copdock skipper, Chris Swallow, had won the toss and elected to field, and two early wickets from former Kent county all-rounder, Adam Bell, initially put the hosts on the back foot.

Ball removed danger-man Matthew Plater (13) and fellow opener Troy Allan (1), bowled and leg before respectively, to leave Mallards on 17 for two.

However, a stand of 93 for the third wicket, between Smit and Ben France, was a match-winning partnership in the context of the game.

Former Suffolk county player France, always a tricky player to dislodge, scored 39 off 50 balls, including a six and six fours, before he was caught by wicketkeeper Alex Oxley off Jason Pembroke with the total of 110.

That was the first of a clatter of four wickets for the addition of just seven runs, Pembroke also claiming the scalp of Matthew Austin leg before, while Jack Beaumont continued his good start to the season at the opposite end.

Slow left-armer Beaumont removed Harry Barker and Thomas Miller in quick succession, both for ducks, and also grabbed the last two wickets of the innings to finish with figures of 10-1-33-4.

However, Smit was an immovable force. He had support from Paul Bradshaw (14) for the seventh wicket as Mallards were eventually bowled out for 198, off 39 overs. Smit faced 102 balls for his 91 not out, with two sixes and 11 fours.

In reply, Copdock were soon in trouble at seven for two, France removing both Rebuen Sharpe (5) and Oxley (0).

Batsmen got in, but failed to build a winning score, Beaumont top-scoring with 35 at No. 5, having put on 37 for the fourth wicket with Ball (30). That proved to be the biggest stand of the innings.

Copdock were bowled out for 167 in the 47th over, with all six of Mallards bowlers taking wickets, led by France (8-1-17-3) and Bradshaw (10-2-34-2).