Copdock & Old Ipswichian slipped from a position of promise to lose by six wickets to Swardeston, in an East Anglian Premier League match on Saturday.

Adam Ball was the mainstay of Copdock’s innings, which rather fizzled out from a prosperous 140 for two to a disappointing 207 all out off 43.4 overs.

This was always likely to be within easy reach of a strong Swardeston batting line-up, and the Norfolk visitors cruised home off just 36 overs and for the loss of just four wickets.

Swardeston captain Joe Gatting had won the toss and elected to field, but that decision looked questionable when Sam Webb-Snowling and Ball were enjoying a run-feast, and later Ball and Jack Beaumont.

A brisk opening stand of 44 was ended by teenager Donald Mlambo’s dismissal after a good 18 off 21 balls, but fellow opener Webb-Snowling remained in aggressive mood.

The Copdock wicketkeeper hit 47 off just 33 deliveries, with a six and eight fours, until he was caught-and-bowled by skipper Gatting to leave the score on 73 for two.

The hosts continued to dictate, however, thanks to a 67-run partnership for the third wicket between the circumspect Ball, and the more attack-minded Beaumont.

All-rounder Beaumont was eventually caught by wicketkeeper Stephen Gray off Joseph Flatt, one of his three victims, having made 47 off 49 balls with nine fours.

That prompted a collapse, with Copdock losing their last eight wickets for just 67 runs, despite Ball remaining unmoved with 61 not out at No. 3. The former Kent county player hit 10 fours, but was otherwise very watchful during his 101-ball stay.

Flatt ended with three for 34 off 11 overs, and Callum Taylor ripped through Copdock’s lower middle order with figures of 14-2-48-3.

Ball managed to dislodge opener Jordan Taylor (18), caught by talented Zimbabwean Mlamdo with the score on 25, but Tyler Murphy and a dominant Taylor added 83 for the second wicket.

Taylor contributed a brisk 60 off 56 balls, and Murphy a more pedestrian 26 off 63 deliveries, before they were removed by Fergus Atkins and Chris Swallow respectively.

However, a pugnacious 75 not out from skipper Gatting, achieved off 52 balls, saw Swardeston to their third win of the summer. By contrast, Copdock have lost three of their first five matches.