SUDBURY got off to a flyer on Saturday – and simultaneously wrecked Woolpit’s start to life in the Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League.

Woolpit were bowled out for just 62 in 31.1 overs, after their visitors reached 236 for eight in their 66 overs, to lose by 174 runs.

Sudbury skipper Darren Batch led the way with 109 and New Zealander Rory Darkins scored 59 on his debut as they put on 166 for the third wicket.

Woolpit’s Will Parker returned impressive figures of 17-3-52-5 and then was one of only two Woolpit batsmen to reach double figures.

Andy Northcote top-scored with 23, before becoming one of James Poulson’s three victims and Johnny Gallagher also picked up three wickets.

Batch said: “We saw it as a good opportunity to get our season off to a positive start in that we could catch them cold.

“We were quite naïve two years ago about playing this format when we joined the league, but we now know it is a completely different game to the 50-over format you play in the Two Counties, where you look to score at four or five runs an over.

“In this league you have to look to bat your full 66 overs.”

Darkins joined Batch in the middle with Sudbury 32 for two, before the pair built their match-winning partnership.

Batch said: “I was pleased we stuck around and batted that length of time. You have to bat time in this format – it is not about run-rate and pushing the scoreboard along.

“It becomes easier as you go along and that was our plan. We set our stall out to make sure we were still batting at lunchtime, which then gave us a 25-over period after lunch to adopt a different game plan as we then had wickets in hand.

“We know from experience that not too many sides chase scores of over 200 in this format as there are some good bowling attacks, and we rate our own bowling attack as one of our strong points.

“It looked like a very good batting pitch, but we were happy with our total and you have to give credit to James Poulson who bowled with very good control and ripped the heart out of their batting line-up.

“We know Andy Northcote and Michael Jones, who last season broke the Division One batting record, are very good players and James dismissed both of them.

“His chances were limited last year, but we are looking for him to figure more on the bowling side this season.”

Sudbury’s victory was achieved without South African Jandre Coetzee, who is returning as the club’s overseas player, after helping Sudbury win promotion to the EAPL in 2010.

Batch said: “Jandre Coetzee is waiting to get his visa clearance and will then get on a plane and fly over.

“We are hoping that he will be available this weekend when we play Vauxhall Mallards, who themselves had a good win on Saturday, for what will be a tougher game.”

Rahul Dewan made 125 as Mallards thrashed Bury St Edmunds by 191 runs at Brundall on Saturday.

Mallards made 293 for nine, before bowling Bury out for only 102, Adam Kizis top-scoring with 37.

Clacton and Copdock & Old Ipswichians both drew away to Norfolk sides Great Witchingham and Swardeston respectively.

Clacton clung on for a share of the spoils as they ended with nine wickets down, while Copdock closed on 176 for four, Martyn Cull making an undefeated 63, in response to the defending champions’ 294 for seven declared.

Swardeston opener Peter Lambert compiled 142 with five sixes and 11 fours as Australian Test bowler Peter George claimed 15-4-52-3 on his debut for Copdock.

Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League scoreboard

*Burwell 207 in 63.3 overs (P Summerskill 60, C Summerskill 55, K Adhav 25, J Keyt 23, J Cowan 3 for 40, S Park 3 for 67). Cambridge Granta 211 for 3 in 47.4 overs (A Anasary 88, A Fullarton 72, B v Rooyen 36). Cambridge Granta (25pts) beat Burwell (5pts) by 7 wkts.

*Great Witchingham 243 for 9 in 66 overs (J Hale 66, S Joubert 32, J Spelman 29, T Allan 29, Shaun Arthurton 21, I Sheikh 3 for 57, M Comber 3 for 63)). Clacton 196 for 9 in 56 overs (J Hughes 47, T Rajarate 31, M Comber 29, J Hale 5 for 47, S Joubert 3 for 59). Great Witchingham (13 pts) drew with Clacton (9 pts)

Horsford 176 for 9 in 66 overs (S Marillier 46, K Patel 30, L Caswell 29, T Smith 4 for 39). *Saffron Walden 145 all out in 47.3 overs (L Paternott 33, G Batticiotto 29, S Parmenter 27, G Ecclestone 26, L Caswell 5 for 45). Horsford (30pts) beat Saffron Walden (4pts) by 31 runs.

*Swardeston 294 for 7 in 64 overs dec (P Lambert 109, J Sole 54, S Gray 49, I Tufts 47no, J Taylor 26, P George 3 for 52, C Swallow 2 for 70). Copdock & Old Ipswichian 176 for 4 in 56 overs (M Cull 63, J Cawkwell 38, T Rash 30no). Swardeston (15pts) drew with Copdock & Old Ipswichian (8pts).

*Vauxhall Mallards 293 for 9 in 66 overs (R Dewan 125, M Platter 25, S Platter 38, S Goldsmith 22, P Bradshaw 22no, A Jhunjhunwala 3 for 70). Bury St Edmunds 102 all out in 41.3 overs (A Kizis 39, T Huggins 27, M Platter 3 for 6, P Bradshaw 3 for 10). Vauxhall Mallards (30pts) beat Bury St Edmunds (4pts) by 191 runs.

Sudbury 236 for 8 in 66 overs (D Batch 109, R Dawkins 59, W Parker 5 for 52). *Woolpit 62 all out in 31.1 overs (A Northcote 23, J Poulson 3 for 14, J Gallagher 3 for 24). Sudbury (30pts) beat Woolpit (4pts) by 174 runs.

*Denotes home team