MILDENHALL’S emphatic nine-wicket win over Wivenhoe on Saturday was dampened by the news that Copdock had pipped them to the Division One title in the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship.

For most of the second half of the season it seemed that Saturday’s showdown between the two teams, who had been at the top of the table all summer, would be a title decider.

But Copdock’s incredible run – they did not lose a game after May – snatched the crown and Mildenhall were left in second place.

A trio of Essex players were on show at Wamil Way, and the first one to make an impression was Billy Godleman, opening the batting for Wivenhoe.

Tymal Mills was struggling with his follow-through in the damp conditions, and Godleman took advantage to score 101 out of 130 for two in 30 overs.

Mildenhall then worked through the Wivenhoe line-up but were denied the chance of maximum points as the visitors closed on 192 for nine.

It was at the interval that news came through of Copdock’s win, leaving Mildenhall to produce a sparkling batting display in vain.

It was the third Essex player, Tom Westley, who then took centre stage. Like Mills a product of Mildenhall’s youth scheme, Westley produced an entertaining innings of 71, sharing a stand of 110 for the first wicket with Alex Reynolds (52 not out).

Ben Shepperson then came to the crease and created an end of season fireworks display, racing to 50 from 24 balls (a club record) and taking 30 off one Godleman over.

He finished unbeaten on 65 as the nine-wicket win was completed.

Mildenhall’s near-miss season continued with their Second and Fourth XIs finishing as runners-up in Divisions Three and Seven respectively, while their Third XI finished third in Divison Five to just miss out on promotion.