HALSTEAD’S inevitable relegation from the Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League was confirmed on Saturday.

The Essex club have endured a tough time since their elevation from the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship, after winning the Division One title in 2008.

Halstead lost by six wickets at home to Swardeston on Saturday, and unless they receive an expected reprieve, are destined to return to the Two Counties next season.

Josh Wells scored 63, but lacked any support – Will Clark’s 12 was the next highest individual score – as Halstead were dismissed for 127 at Star Stile, George Walker spinning his way to figures of 15.3-4-33-5.

Despite a mini-collapse from 72 for one to 81 for four, Swardeston required just 20.1 overs to reach their target and so inflict Halstead’s 13th defeat in as many completed matches – their six other games have all been cancelled – this season.

Elsewhere Saturday’s programme was decimated by the weather.

Copdock & Old Ipswichian were in a promising position at Saffron Walden, skipper Chris Swallow scoring 78 not out off 88 balls with 12 fours and a six in their 174 for five.

They then reduced their hosts to 62 for three, although opener Glen Batticciotto was still there on 41 made off only 30 balls.

Sudbury had Burwell struggling at 173 for seven, but an undefeated 52 from Marlon Richards enabled the home team to recover to 209 for eight, before the rain prevented any further play.

Bury St Edmunds and Clacton were both up against it in their games prior to them being abandoned.

Craig Park (77 not out) and Rory Darkins (45 not out) had added 127 for Cambridge Granta’s third wicket without being separated as they totalled 147 for two off 42.2 overs against Bury.

Clacton collapsed to 19 for four off 11.4 overs in reply to Horsford’s 250 for three declared, built around Luke Caswell’s 75, Jaik Mickleburgh’s 68 and 58 unbeaten from Chris Sabburg.

Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League scoreboard

*Burwell 209 for 8 off 49.2 overs (M Richards 52no, H James 44, D Jones 41, G Goosen 33, H Fernando 3 for 46). Sudbury 0 for 0 off 0 overs. Match abandoned, Burwell (9pts) drew with Sudbury (7pts).

*Cambridge Granta 147 for 2 off 42.2 overs (C Park 77no, R Darkins 45no) v Bury St Edmunds. Match abandoned, both teams receive 7pts.

*Halstead 127 in 49.3 overs (J Wells 63, G Walker 5 for 33). Swardeston 128 for 4 in 20.1 overs (S Gray 38, M Parlane 34, I Tufts 27no, J Elliott 22no, D Sincuba 3 for 62). Swardeston (25pts) bt Halstead (2pts) by 6 wkts.

*Horsford 250 for 4 of 54 overs dec (L Caswell 75, J Mickleburgh 68, C Sabburg 58no, J Wild 32no). Clacton 19 for 4 in 11.4 overs. Match abandoned. Horsford (15pts) drew with Clacton (4pts).

Copdock & Old Ipswichian 174 for 5 in 49.3 overs (C Swallow 78,E Pope 32, A Gravell 22). *Saffron Walden 62 for 3 in 11.5 overs (G Batticciotto 41no). Match abandoned. Saffron Walden (5pts) drew with Copdock (6pts).

Great Witchingham 216 for 6 in 55 overs (J Hale 69, Jon Spelman 44, T Collishaw 36no, W Lonsdale 20). Vauxhall Mallards 162 for 8 in 36 overs (D Turner 41, A Shearer 36, T Brice 32no, W Lonsdale 4 for 27). Vauxhall Mallards (7pts) drew with Great Witchingham (13pts).

*Denotes home team