SIMON Halliday carried his bat for 107 to lead Suffolk Over-50s into the knock-out stages of the 50+ County Championship.

Halliday and skipper Tony Stubbs (53) provided the bulk of the runs as Suffolk posted 212 for six from their 45 overs against Leicestershire at Hinckley.

But that was not the end of Halliday’s contribution as he was forced to send down the final over of the day with the home team 13 runs short of victory.

Ian Knight made a very good debut to take three for 24, and Oliver Gravell (two for 37), Guy Robins and Stubbs had all bowled their full allocation of nine overs.

Andrew Gallant was only able to bowl one over and Kevin Dobson had sent down the penultimate over, leaving occasional bowler Halliday to volunteer to take responsibility for the last six balls.

But he was not to be denied, and claimed one for seven from the over to secure victory by five runs.

Suffolk 212 for 6 (S Halliday 107no, T Stubbs 53). Leicestershire 207 for 7 (P Howard 101, R Patel 33, P Snuggs 24no, I Knight 3 for 24). Suffolk won by 5 runs.

An opening partnership of 79 between Ray Black and Jerry Wedge, which featured some excellent running between the wickets, paved the way for the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship Over-50s side to defeat Eight Ash Green by six wickets.

After bowling out their hosts for 171 last Thursday, the Two Counties won an enjoyable game at Fordham Heath.

Eight Ash Green 171 (J Stonehouse 41, M Norris 27, K Smith 26, M Urwatte 26no, B Tompkins 3 for 36, I Newman 2 for 13, A Elsbury 2 for 36, I Johnson 2 for 46). Two Counties Over-50s 174 for 4 (R Black 45, J Wedge 40, G Penny 24, J Stonehouse 2 for 39, T Lee 2 for 55). Two Counties won by 6 wkts.

The previous day’s match for the Over-50s, against the MSC Suffolk Alliance League Over-50s at Worlingworth, was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Meanwhile, Suffolk Under-19s beat the Essex Development side in a rain-affected game at Easton.

Essex scored 204 for eight off their 50 overs but due to a rain interval Suffolk had their target reduced to score 148 in 36 overs.

They did so for the loss of five wickets with an over to spare, thanks mainly to Ashwin Raj (45) and skipper James Alder, who followed up his bowling effort of taking three for 30 from his 10 overs with an unbeaten 26 to guide his team home.

Ethan Wright (two for 33) and Nathan Poole (two for 46) also bowled 10 overs for Suffolk.

Archie Gravell (37) helped Raj put on 89 for the first wicket and Ben Shepperson then added 15.

Team manager Valda Marks praised Fred Mitchell and his team for their hard work to make the game playable, plus the Easton ladies for their catering and Dot Andrews for scoring.