ISSUES at both ends of the Gibbs Denley East Anglian League table were settled in Saturday’s penultimate round of matches.

Cambridge Granta retained their title thanks to a 64-run win over Sudbury, while Norwich, founder members and champions in 2000 and 2001, were relegated.

Sudbury’s impressive bowling attack put the visitors on top as Granta were reduced to 33 for four, but then Sean Park (47) nd Alex Fullarton (57) put on 97 for the fifth wicket.

Granta completed their recovery to reach 214 for nine in their 66 overs, despite the efforts of Hasantha Fernando (fiver for 49).

James Poulson (30) and skipper Darren Batch (25) took Sudbury to 55 before the second wicket went down, but then it was Fernando fighting a lone battle with 75 out of a final total of 150 all out.

Bury St Edmunds are just about sure to be the best of the Suffolk and Essex teams after they secured a narrow nine-run win at Clacton.

Tom Huggins got Bury off to a good start before being bowled by a ball which kept very low for 39. From a difficult 113 for six James Sturgeon (22) and James McKinney (17 not out) helped lift the final total to 177.

Clacton opener Garth Davson stood firm as wickets fell at the other end, until he mishit Huggins into the safe hands of Simon Rees at mid-wicket for 81. Huggins then ran through the latter order to finish with seven for 26, taking the last wicket in the final over.

Halstead made a decent reply to Burwell’s 280 all out but despite 84 from Josh Wells and 64 not out from Bertie Blackwell they ended on 213 for six and the match was drawn.

Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League

*Cambridge Granta 214 for 9 (66 overs: A Fullarton 57, S Park 47, J Handley 27, H Fernando 5 for 49). Sudbury 150 (39.2 overs: H Fernando 75, J Poulson 30, D Batch 25, J Coleman 5 for 36). Cambridge Granta (30pts) bt Sudbury (5) by 64 runs.

Bury St Edmunds 177 (56.3 overs: T Huggins 39, S Harvey 27, J Sturgeon 22, B France 5 for 56, S Gericke 3 for 36). *Clacton 168 (59.1 overs: G Davson 81, T Huggins 7 for 26). Bury (30) bt Clacton (6) by 9 runs.

*Great Witchingham 278 for 3 (66 overs: S Arthurton Jnr 97, C Rogers 96). Swardeston 180 (42.2 overs: M Thomas 62). Gt Witchingham (30) bt Swardeston (3) by 98 runs.

Burwell 280 (64.2 overs: T Afzal 86, F Bester 58, G Goosen 35, D Jones 30, P Summerskill 29, W Lawton 20, C Douglas Hughes 3 for 44). *Halstead 213 for 6 (53 overs: J Wells 84, B Blackwell 64no, A Gupta 24.) Halstead (11) drew with Burwell (16).

*Norwich 209 for 7 (56 overs: H Bush 125). Horsford 211 for 5 (62.4 overs: R O’Connell 81). Horsford (25) bt Norwich (8) by 5 wkts.

*Vauxhall Mallards 284 for 3 (66 overs: D Turner 112, C Amos 67). Saffron Walden 266 for 6 (54 overs: J Gallian 123, G Ecclestone 74). Vauxhall Mallards (16) drew with Saffron Walden (9).

* Denotes home team.