A MUCH-IMPROVED display was not enough for Bury St Edmunds to break their duck in the Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League this season.

A third-wicket stand of 159 between Chris Lomas (90) and Simon Rees (90 not out) plus 66 from skipper Tom Huggins saw Bury post a season’s-best total of 279 for three at home to Cambridge Granta.

But Bury were unable to bowl out the reigning champions, who closed on 175 for five at the Victory Ground, Mark Nunn claiming four for 61 and Huggins three for 36.

The 14 points Bury picked up from a draw left them still searching for their first win of the season but lifted them one place to third-from-bottom in the table, 17 points ahead of Halstead, who lost by three wickets at Swardeston.

Opener Tom Philp (38) and Mark Johnson’s undefeated 53 from 70 deliveries provided the backbone of Halstead’s 134 all out, but the home team recovered from 93 for five to claim the win.

Former England batsman Jason Gallian’s superb 93 not out (143 balls, ten fours and two sixes) saw Saffron Walden win a close encounter at Copdock & Old Ipswichians.

Copdock captain Chris Swallow top-scored with 59 and Martyn Cull continued his good form with 46, but their 201 all out proved to be not enough.

Sudbury came a cropper in a low-scoring affair at home to Burwell, who lost both openers without a run on the board and were bowled out for 131 in 51.4 overs, Matt Hunn returning figures of 15-5-25-3.

But Sudbury were undone by Burwell’s opening bowlers as Kieran Toner (16-6-39-6) and Marlon Richards (13.5-1-46-3) did the damage.

At 34 for six, Sudbury rallied thanks to Darren Batch’s 43 and No.8 Ben Reece, who earlier had taken three wickets, struck 37 from 48 balls in a 60-run stand.

The demise of Reece saw the innings then fall away as the visitors closed out a 14-run success.

Clacton’s home match against Horsford was called off on Friday with the Vista Road pitch not having recovered from the previous week’s rainfall.

The day’s other match ended in a draw, Great Witchingham ending 35 runs short of victory with two wickets still standing in response to Vauxhall Mallards’ 208 for six.

Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League scoreboarde

Burwell 121 in 51.4 overs (G Goosen 52, M Hunn 3 for 25, B Reece 3 for 35). *Sudbury 107 in 34.5 overs (D Batch 43, B Reece 3 for 37, K Toner 6 for 39, M Richards 3 for 46). Burwell (30pts) bt Sudbury (5pts) by 14 runs.

*Bury St Edmunds 279 for 3 in 66 overs (C Lomas 90, S Rees 90no, T Huggins 66, S Ward 22). *Cambridge Granta 175 for 7 in 57 overs (R Darkins 53, R Woolley 26, J Atkinson 24, C Park 23, M Nunn 4 for 61, T Huggins 3 for 36). Bury St Edmunds (14pts) drew with Cambridge Granta (5pts).

*Clacton v Horsford - match abandoned without a ball being bowled, both teams receive 7pts.

*Copdock & Old Ipswichian 201 54.3 overs (C Swallow 59, M Cull 46, N Batcheler 4 for 48, G Batticciotto 4 for 64). Saffron Walden 205 for 7 in 64.2 overs (J Gallian 93no, G Batticciotto 44, John East 3 for 54). Saffron Walden (25pts) bt Copdcock & OI (9pts) by 3 wkts.

Halstead 134 in 54.4 overs (M Johnson 53no, T Philp 38, G Walker 4 for 23, M Eccles 4 for 38). *Swardeston 135 for 7 in 35.5 overs (M Parlane 40, P Lambert 25, I Tufts 24no). Swardeston (25pts) beat Halstead (3pts) by 3 wkts.

Vauxhall Mallards 208 for 6 in 55 overs (C Schoeman 69no, C Amos 43, M Platter 28). *Great Witchingham 174 for 8 in 49 overs (Sam Arthurton 95, J Hale 32). Great Witchingham (7pts) drew with Vauxhall Mallards (13pts).

* Denotes home team.