SUFFOLK Over-50s play the first match of their 50+ County Championship campaign when they travel to Rushden to take on Northamptonshire tomorrow (2pm start).

Skipper Tony Stubbs has four new recruits in his line-up – batsman Dave Drury, wicket-keeper Nick Crame, all-rounder Keith Howlett and bowler Colin Scott. The other members of the team are: Kevin Dobson, Nigel Dennis, Colin Walters, Guy Robins, Ian Booth and Andrew Gallant. Umpire: John Bloomfield. Scorer: Alan Rogers. Manager: Rick Jones.

Meanwhile, Suffolk Over-60s lost their opening match of the Spitfire Over-60s Championship when they went down by 34 runs in a high-scoring contest against Norfolk at Mildenhall.

Norfolk built their success around an opening stand of 143 between Martin Pearse (61) and Paul Rice (62). Brian Cole finally made the breakthrough and dismissed both openers (two for 49), while Bob Perrett picked up the other three wickets to fall at a cost of 32.

In reply to the Norfolk total of 243 for five Rick Jones scored 25 out of an opening stand of 40 with Ray Black (18). After two quick wickets Peter Boughton (53) and skipper Peter Webb (63) compiled a fifth-wicket partnership worth 98 before Boughton was run out. Webb was out to the final delivery of the 45 overs with Suffolk ending on 209 for seven.

Suffolk Over-60s 2nd XI scored a convincing win over Norfolk at Mattishall. A return to form by Graham Penny with a century, and excellent support from Doug Andrews with 60 enabled Suffolk to total 248. This proved far too much for Norfolk, who were never in the hunt against the accurate Suffolk bowlers led by Roger Ingham, Russell Abbott and Derek Cook, with Derek Messent chipping in with two wickets. Suffolk are away to Surrey on Thursday.

Suffolk II 246 for 7 (Penny 120, Andrews 60). Norfolk II 151 for 7. Suffolk won by 97 runs.

The Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Over-60s recorded a five-wicket win against Suffolk Over-60s at Clay Hall, home of Ipswich CC, last Wednesday.

Chris Watson and Alan Cooke both passed fifty as Suffolk Over-60s declared on 188 for seven. However, it was not enough as the Two Counties side ran out winners thanks to half centuries from John Stuck and Barry Ball.

Suffolk Over-60s 188 for 7 dec (C Watson 61, A Cooke 56, D Stevens 31, M Southwell 2 for 55). Two Counties Over-60s 191 for 5 (J Stuck 75, B Ball 58, S Isaac 21, C Withams 3 for 45). Two Counties won by 5 wkts.

An opening stand of 124 between Colin Walters (100) and Jon Wiseman (52) was the highlight of the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Over-50s draw against Richard Kemp’s XI at Long Melford.

Two Counties Over-50s 256 for 4 dec (C Walters 100, J Wiseman 52, S Marks 41, B Robinson 20no, N Henbury 2 for 42). Richard Kemp’s XI 131 for 8 (M Blackwell 51, B Ball 39, C Hills 3 for 27, I Johnson 2 for 18, A Fowles 2 for 41). Match drawn.