Last year’s runners-up, Sudbury, began their Hunts County Bats Suffolk League campaign with a 34-run victory over Cavendish Wanderers last Sunday.

Sudbury had finished second to champions Woolpit in Division One last year, and they were indebted to a fine all-round display from Michael Jones for a winning start to 2014.

Jones top-scored with 50, batting at No. 6, as Sudbury amassed 188 all out. Their effort was given a good foundation by openers Peter Siegert (40) and James O’Brien (30).

Fessil Jack took five wickets for Cavendish, but the visitors were soon struggling in their reply with Charlie Holt claiming two quick wickets at the start of the reply.

Wicketkeeper Andy Tatum did offer resistance with a half-century, sharing a good third wicket stand with Jack (32), but Jones then starred with the ball, running through the lower middle order to finish with figures of five for 10 as Cavendish were eventually dismissed for 146.

Elsewhere in Division One, Bury St Edmunds recorded a strong seven-wicket win at Walsham-le-Willows.

Liam Bryant struck 124 in Walsham’s total of 245 for five, but Phil Godden (113 not out) replied with a century of his own as Bury surged to victory. There was also a half-century by I Plumb.

In Division Two, Brettenham registered a seven-wicket win over newly-promoted Thurston. The visitors could only manage 124 for nine, and Brettenham eased home thanks to sizeable contributions from B Barker (65) and M Cotton (34 not out).

Exning 3rds suffered a 47-run defeat at the hands of Haverhill. G Street top-scored with an unbeaten 50 in Haverhill’s winning total.