SUFFOLK Over-50s scored another important win to take a big step closer to qualifying for the national knock-out rounds of the 50+ County Championship.

They took on a Huntingdonshire side enjoying their most successful season in years at Exning and bowled them out for 201, before knocking off the runs to win with five wickets and 10 balls to spare. It was another impressive performance.

Nigel Dennis only conceded 22 runs in his nine overs, but once again was unfortunate not to take a wicket. But his opening partner Colin Scott dismissed both openers and came back at the end to finish the innings to earn tidy figures of four for 21. In between the spinners got to work with skipper Tony Stubbs taking three for 44 and left-armer Ian Booth two for 32, including taking a return catch to dismiss top-scorer Grant Biddle for 68.

In reply Suffolk came up with another solid display with the bat. Simon Halliday (70), Colin Walters (34), Stubbs (22) and Andrew Gallant (27) took the score to 183 for five, and the job was finished in style by Kevin Dobson (21 not out) and Peter Boughton (10 not out).

On Thursday Suffolk travel to Hinckley to take on Leicestershire. Ian Knight, previously of Achilles but now playing for Ipswich CC, will make his debut.

Suffolk team: Tony Stubbs, Dave Drury, Simon Halliday, Colin Walters, Kevin Dobson, Andrew Gallant, Nick Crame, Ian Knight, Guy Robins, Oliver Gravell and John Nicholl.

The combined Suffolk and Norfolk Over-70s team recorded their first win when they comprehensively outplayed their opponents from Kent and Surrey at Ipswich.

Excellent bowling kept on top of the visiting batsmen and restricted them to 99 for eight from their 45 overs, Bob Perrett claiming three for 18 and Roddy Murphy three for 25.

Mick Smith made sure there were no problems in reaching their modest total with 45 not out, with help from Chris Watson and John Smythe to reach the target in 25 overs for a nine-wicket win.

Meanwhile, half centuries from Warren Poole and Raz Mehon steered Harwich & Dovercourt to a seven-wicket win against the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship Over-50s representative side last Wednesday.

The home team’s batsmen were not as hospitable on the pitch as Harwich & Dovercourt were off it as they romped to victory, aided by a poor performance in the field by the visitors.

Two Counties Over-50s 207 for 5 dec (J Stonehouse 57, M Southwell 45no, J Wiseman 27, W Tyrell 2 for 42, G Moors 2 for 51). Harwich & Dovercourt 211 for 3 (W Poole 84no, R Mehon 60, C Hills 2 for 53, S Bulger 1 for 36). Harwich & Dovercourt won by 7 wkts.