BURY St Edmunds were denied an almost certain and vital victory in the Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League by a late show of rain on Saturday.Having bowled Horsford out for 147, Bury were coasting to victory at 129 for two after just 32 overs before a downpour struck at around 6.

BURY St Edmunds were denied an almost certain and vital victory in the Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League by a late show of rain on Saturday.

Having bowled Horsford out for 147, Bury were coasting to victory at 129 for two after just 32 overs before a downpour struck at around 6.30pm.

Andrew Tweedie had earlier done the damage with the ball (four for 27), while a rapid third wicket partnership of 112 between Toby Hembry (52no) and Tom Huggins (65no) had got Bury motoring towards the finishing line.

With second-placed Godmanchester also drawing, Swardeston were able to take a significant step towards their first-ever EAPL title with victory over Vauxhall Mallards.

In difficult conditions for the batsmen, Mallards were bowled out for 75 as skipper Mark Thomas collected four wickets.

In reply, the hosts also found batting difficult, however Daniel Martin (17) and Jaden Hatwell (29) compiled a crucial third wicket stand of 41 as the Norfolk side went on to reach the target with five wickets to spare.

Godmanchester's draw came at Norwich, where the hosts set a target of 205 after opener Ben Patston had put them on their way with an impressive 79.

Godmanchester reached 172 for eight, thanks largely to Matthew Pateman's unbeaten 98, before running out of overs.

Elsewhere, Clacton dropped to the foot of the table after their draw with Cambridge Granta.

Batting first, Cambridge reached 221 for five, before the rain intervened with the match interestingly poised with Clacton on 82 for three.

Fakenham were the side to leapfrog Clacton off the bottom, thanks to a draw at Great Witchingham.