Signs are good admits Sudbury skipper Batch as table-toppers make it six wins on the spin

Bury's Dominic Manthorpe appeals against Sudbury's Tom Huggins (Image: Archant)

Batch’s table-topping team made it six straight East Anglian Premier League victories at the Victory Ground, as the home side were skittled out for just 89, after Sudbury had posted 270-4 in 56 overs.

While league champions Swardeston have yet to face Sudbury - their first meeting isn’t until next month - Batch is rightly delighted with the start to the season his side have shown.

“We know it’s a long season, but the signs for us are good up to now,” he said.

“We set ourselves up at the start of the campaign to challenge near the top and as each win goes by we are gaining more and more confidence.

“Yes, we were favourites to beat Bury, but there is always the chance of a potential slip-up and we didn’t want that.

“But we were well prepared and we took the game by the scruff of the neck.”

Bury had little answer to the consistency of the Sudbury batsmen who all contributed on a sunny afternoon.

Tom Huggins stumped by James Sturgeon off the bowling of Josh Cantrell sees Bury celebrate. But Sudbury made it six wins on the trot at the top of the EAPL (Image: Archant)

Batch led the way with 73, but Tom Huggins and Adam Mansfield had set the foundations for victory with an opening stand five shy of 100.

Ben Reece’s quick-fire 50 set a challenging target that Bury never threatened, crashing to 34-5, with Sudbury’s Jonathan Gallagher taking 5-18.

“If you look at the scorecard you can see everyone contributed,” Batch said.

“We haven’t had to rely on one certain batsman to get us runs so far this season and that’s always a good sign to post a good total.”

Sudbury’s position at the top was helped by nearest challengers Swardeston and Great Witchingham drawing at Walcis Park.

The current champions had to watch as James Spelman and Michael Jones both posted centuries for Great Witchingham.

Copdock’s Jaik Mickleburgh hit a ton as the Ipswich-based side posted 210 for 6 in 39 overs against Mildenhall, who replied with 154 for 8, Peter Worthington making 75 in a drawn clash.

Bury welcomed back Trinidad and Tobago player Daron Cruickshank pictured left, with Dominic Manthorpe on Saturday. But it wasn't a happy return for Cruickshank as Bury were heavily beaten by Sudbury (Image: Archant)

Vauxhall Mallards won only their second game of the season with a five-wicket win over Norwich.