Tom Rash impressed with bat and ball as Copdock & Old Ipswichian maintained their fine start to the season, with a seven-wicket victory over Norwich on Saturday.
Copdock are second in the Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League, behind defending champions Swardeston, after five fixtures, much to the surprise of skipper James East.
“We’re very happy with our start to the season, though a bit surprised with how well it has gone, because we haven’t been at our best,” said East.
“In fact, Saturday was the best we have played, and we’re hopeful that we can now stay up there.”
East and Rash again bowled superbly, at the top of the Norwich innings, to restrict the visitors to a final total of 163 all out.
Rash (three for 60) and East (two for 24) set the tone, with off spinner Tom Jenkin also taking three wickets, including those of danger-man Ashley Watson (23), caught behind by wicketkepeer Chris Warn, and top scorer Dominic Matarazzo (52).
“Tom (Rash) and I managed to bowl quite tightly and make sure it was a struggle for them to get runs before lunch,” revealed East.
“I think Tom and I are actually the two leading wicket-takers in the league at the moment, though of course we have been helped by some very seamer-friendly conditions.
“Tom (Jenkin) bowled really well. It was his first real chance of the season, with fellow spinner Chris Swallow also in the team.”
Despite losing the early wickets of openers Archie Gravell and Swallow, with just 26 on the board, Copdock were always in the driving seat in their reply.
Martyn Cull struck five boundaries in his knock of 32, off 62 balls, before he was third out at 96.
But Jed Cawkwell and Rash then saw the Suffolk hosts home with an unbeaten stand of 69, inside 49 overs.
Cawkwell was unbeaten on 61, off 119 deliveries, while Rash was not out 42, with six fours to his name.
“They both batted really well,” continued East.
“Jed (Cawkwell) is in fine form at the moment. He’s only been out once this season and he’s certainly benefiting from playing alongside more established players.
“He’s recently taken up a PE teacher’s role at Norwich School, so this was a very satisfying win for him, over Norwich.”
East also revealed that the club will know later this week whether Australian fast bowler Peter George will be teaming up with them again this summer, to play in the league.
It is also hoped that Essex Academy player Matt Wareing will be available in a few weeks, after as he continues to make progress from a back injury. Wareing is currently bowling five or six overs at a time in the nets.
Meanwhile, Bury St Edmunds were involved in a dramatic game against Cambridge Granta at the Victory Ground, with both sides totalling 254 in a tied match.
The hosts did well to restrict Cambridge, from a promising position of 136 for one when Philip Hughes (69) and Jonathan Atkinson (59) threatened to post a huge total.
In the end, Tom Robotham took three for 52 off 16 overs, and Tom Huggins and Justin Bishop took two wickets apiece as Cambridge finished their 64 overs on 254 for eight.
Bury looked on course for a first victory of the summer, when their opening pair of Huggins and Bishop – also Suffolk’s opening duo – shared a stand of 135 for the first wicket.
But the dismissal of Huggins, for 60, started a clatter of wickets. Bishop went for 76, having struck 11 boundaries in a 119-ball stay, to leave Bury on 143 for two.
Michael Comber then took centre stage, and he almost single-handedly saw the hosts to victory.
Comber batted superbly, taking just 62 balls to make 91, including four sixes and eight boundaries.
But no one was able to hang around to lend him support, for any great length of time, and the result was that the scores were level after Bury’s allotted 56 overs. Comber and James McKinney (eight not out) were at the crease during the final few minutes as Bury ended frustrated.
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