Woolpit’s Craig Estlea was the star of the show as second-bottom Woolpit recorded only their second victory of the season and in doing so, dented Cambridge Granta’s hopes of winning the title.

Estlea took four for 70 as the visitors to Rectory Lane struggled to 265 for nine declared in 61 overs, Ben van Rooyen scoring 63 for second-placed Cambridge.

The all-rounder then decided to take control with the bat, knocking a superb 125 not out, backed up by 71 from captain Michael Jones, as Woolpit won by seven wickets.

Woolpit made a solid start in reply, but they lost wickets at regular intervals.

Ben Shepperson was caught by youngster Freddie Fairhead for 14, Sean Park got Craig Rutterford out for the same score as van Rooyen took the catch and Jonathan Atkinson held onto a chance off the bowling of Max Holden to remove Dudley Spiers (25).

But then it was the Jones and Estlea show, as Woolpit cruised to 268 for three off 53.3 overs and secured 25 points, to move within five points of Sudbury, who now occupy the third-from-bottom spot.

Swardeston took advantage of Woolpit’s heroics, extending their lead at the top to 23 points, after victory at home to Bury St. Edmunds.

The visitors, bottom-of-the-table and yet to record a win this season, were put into bat and made a healthy 303 for four declared in 64 overs, thanks in no small part to Toby Adams’ 119 not out and Justin Bishop’s knock of 118.

However, Swardeston were just as prolific with the bat, reaching 304 for four in 53.4 overs, Peter Lambert scoring 110 and Stephen Gray a useful 74 not out.

The win for Swardeston saw them earn 25 points to Bury’s 12, the home team emerging victorious by six wickets.

Clacton failed to make ground on the top four, the fifth-placed team losing out to Saffron Walden at the Anglo-American Playing Fields.

In a low-scoring game, the hosts won the toss and elected to bat but could only make 176 all out in 45.1 overs, the impressive Ben France taking five wickets for 29 runs.

However, France’s efforts were in vain as his team, for whom he could only score 11 with the bat, were skittled out for 105 in just 37.4 overs. Thiranko Rajarate top-scored for the visitors with 32.

Sudbury came away from Vauxhall Mallards with a draw, despite making a big total in 63 overs.

The visitors elected to bat and were indebted to Ben Reece’s 116 and Darren Batch’s 68 as they racked up 329 for six.

However, Mallards dug in, despite not scoring as freely and managed to battle for a draw, Jandre Coetzee taking four for 43.

Copdock & Old Ipswichian enjoyed a fine 112-run victory at Walcis Park against Great Witchingham.

The Suffolk team won the toss and decided to bat and the decision reaped its rewards with opener Archie Gravell hitting 56 to help his team to 248 for eight.

He was supported by the likes of James East (31), Chris Swallow (28) and Tom Rash (23) before the hosts were bowled out for 136.

The pick of Copdock & Old Ipswichian’s bowlers were Peter George (four for 54) and James East (three for 22).

Elsewhere, Horsford decided to bat in their game with Burwell, but the decision backfired as Adam Huckle took six for 41 as they were bowled out for 98.

In reply, Burwell reached 100 for seven in 42 overs to earn 25 points, despite the best effort of Chris Brown (five for 28).