om Rash and Tristan Blackledge took four wickets apiece as Mildenhall cruised to a rapid sixth-wicket win over Horsford, in a one-sided Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League clash at Wamil Way on Saturday.

Horsford were skittled out for a meagre 98, off 36.3 overs, having at one stage looked like being bowled out for under 60 when slumping to 58 for nine.

A last wicket partnership of 40, between Robbie Bridgstock (30 not out) and No. 11 Thomas Nudd (8 off 35 balls) at least nudged the visitors close to the 100-mark.

Mildenhall lost both their openers, Joe Reed (4) and Nick Maiolo (8) very cheaply, with just 14 on the board, but otherwise there were very few scares as the hosts reached their target off just 28 overs, with six wickets in hand.

Essex county batsman Tom Westley top-scored with 37 at No. 3, in his first appearance of the season for Mildenhall.

Earlier, skipper Rash had returned eye-catching figures of 12.3-6-20-4, and new recruit Blackledge, making his debut following his switch from Cambridge Granta, claiming for four for 44 off 11 overs.

“Hopefully, we have turned a corner now,” insisted Rash.

“We got a good result against Swardeston the previous weekend, when we got the better of a drawn match, and it was a dream come true to reduce Horsford to 58 for nine.

“I managed to get the ball in the right areas, and enjoy some luck, while Tristan (Blackledge) bowled very nicely on his debut for us. He pitched the ball up there and got it to swing away.

“I think it’s fair to say that the pitch was a bit two-paced, and I was in two minds what to do when I won the toss. I did think about batting first, in the good conditions, but it turned out all right.

“We won quite comfortably in the end, after a little wobble at the start.

“It was certainly a big boost that Tom Westley made himself available to play for us, for the first time this summer.

“He’s been playing regularly for Essex, but hopefully he might be able to play a few more games for us this season. He’s a very handy player to have come in!” added Rash.

Mildenhall are in fifth spot, but level on points with fourth-placed Frinton and only 10 points behind Swardeston in second.