COPDOCK & OI are closing in on the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Division One title after a weekend of shock results all worked in the Ipswich side's favour.

COPDOCK & OI are closing in on the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Division One title after a weekend of shock results all worked in the Ipswich side's favour.

A 37-run victory at Maldon for Copdock, combined with defeats for title rivals Sudbury, Coggeshall and Halstead, meant that the Ipswich side pulled further away at the top.

Copdock vice-captain James East said: “It's now in our own hands. We knew Frinton were in good form, but them beating Sudbury still came as a bit of a shock.

“It won't be easy for us though, we have Mildenhall who are the only side to have beaten us this season next, followed by IES who will be scrapping for everything.”

Copdock's win over Maldon, a side who the previous week had beaten Halstead, was even more impressive considering they were without regulars Bardo Fransman (ankle injury), Chris Swallow and Tom Jenkins (holidays).

In a first innings that swung both ways, Copdock's openers Howard Knights and 16 year-old Ipswich schoolboy Archie Gravell both scored a solid 47, before a middle-order collapse saw the hosts fall from 80 for one to 154 for eight.

However, some excellent batting from tail-enders James East and, in particular, Michael Kay rescued a competitive total of 200.

In reply, James East removed both openers in a lively opening spell before he pulled up with a rib injury.

Captain John East and new South African signing Andre Nel, the latter bowling for the club for the first time, then both took four wickets each to leave Maldon 37 runs short.

Elsewhere, in an amazing weekend of results, second place Sudbury lost to Frinton by six wickets.

Sudbury captain Steve Witham said: “Frinton are a good side and it was always going to be a tough game. I think their position in the league is not a true reflection of how good a side they are.

“We did not have the greatest preparations for the match with our cricket week being the week before hand, but that's no excuse and we take nothing away from Frinton.”

Meanwhile, third-placed Coggeshall surprisingly lost to lowly Brightlingsea by 34 runs.

The seaside club's second win of the season was enough to haul them off the foot of the table where they were replaced by Ipswich & ES, who narrowly lost by just 12 runs to Mistley.

To complete a weekend of upsets, fourth place side and reigning champions Halstead went down at Mildenhall by 80 runs.