Title race going down to the wire

It has been a tremendous season, with fortunes swinging between the three main protagonists until Copdock hit the top with a remarkable run which stretched to 14 unbeaten with their three wicket victory at Woopit on Saturday.

But the fact that they failed to dismiss the home team (Andy Northcote’s 61 and 41 from Craig Rutterford helped them to 188 for nine) meant they only collected 19 points for their win.

Jed Cawkwell (40), James East (30 not out) and Tom Jenkin (21 not out) ensured Copdock’s win.

Long time leaders Mildenhall, meanwhile, closed the gap to a single point when they took the maximum 20 points with a comfortable 95 run win over Haverhill. Ben Shepperson (90) and Alex Reynolds (28) laid the foundation, then Andy Squire (80 not out) and Karl Holmes (41 not out) added 99 for the eighth wicket without being parted for a daunting total of 277 for seven.

In reply Haverhill were bowled out for 182, Luke Youngs scoring 73 and AJ Warraich taking four for 44. Shepperson completed a good day with three wickets.

Wivenhoe posted 215 for six after an opening partnership of 119 between Billy Godleman (67) and Matt Durrell (53). Ipswich were never really in the hunt as Matt Durrell collected five for 47 to help dismiss the visitors for 162.

Lakenheath need to collect just six points from their last two matches to make certain of promotion to Division One.

They moved to within touching distance of their goal with a six wicket win at Hadleigh. Tom Piddington (54) and Marlon Dias (44) led Hadleigh to 185 for nine, but veteran Dick Bond carried his bat for 58, and with an unbeaten 52 from Rob Horrex made sure of a comfortable win.

Elmstead Grasshoppers are set to accompany them up after they beat Ipswich & East Suffolk by eight runs. Mark Perrin scored 70, Aiden O’Brien 41 and Jordan Elliott 37 as Elmstead put 214 for seven on the board. Steve Worne replied with 77 and his brother Mike added 32 alongside Henry Hazelwood’s 32, but the visitors fell just short.

Worlington are almost certain to take the Division Three title ahead of neighbours Mildenhall II after they won by eight wickets away to Halstead II while their rivals were crashing to 78 all out and a seven wicket defeat away to Little Bardfield Village.

Worlington’s Tom Osborn (65), Graham Ford (59 not out), James Watson (59) and Craig Estlea (24 not out) made light of their target of 218 to beat Halstead II.

It has been a tremendous season for Worlington, as their Second XI are Division Nine champions at the first attempt despite losing by eight wickets to Nowton. Steve Smith (57) and Matt Bacon (43) led them to 201 for maximum batting points which was enough to be sure of the title with a game in hand.

Long Melford are also set for a double success, with the First XI top of Division Four and the Second XI crowned as Division Seven champions.

The Firsts need six more points from their last two games to be sure of the trophy, after Nick Wright’s 93 helped them to 231 for eight and an 84run win over St Margarets.

The Seconds won by five wickets away to Felixstowe II to overhaul Mildenhall II, who had already completed their programme. Matt Hoadley took three wickets and scored 34 for Long Melford.

Elsewhere, Copdock & OIs II recorded the highest total and the biggest win in Saturday’s matches.

Reuben Sharpe scored 133, Ashwin Raj 87 and Adam Baker added an unbeaten 53 for a total of 351 for four at Old London Road against Yoxford.

The visitors were then bowled out for 163, with Chris Mears scoring a defiant 57 not out, but the final margin of defeat was 188 runs.

Melton St Audry’s once again had the lowest total after being bowled out for 61 by Haverhill II in Division Six, with Nigel Brunning taking five for 12.

Melton have lost four and had two cancelled in the last six weeks, with meagre totals of just 57, 69, 73 and 61.

Haverhill II knocked the runs off for the loss of one wicket for the biggest win by teams batting second.

The closest wins came as Exning closed just two runs behind Coggeshall’s 283 for six in Division One, while Stowmarket and Kelvedon & Feering II both scraped home by one wicket against Coggeshall II and Harwich & Dovercourt respectively.

The weekend’s bowling honour was claimed by Stuart Whitehart, who took seven for 64 to help Long Melford clinch the Division Four title with victory over St Margarets. He helped dismiss the visitors for 147 for an 84-run win.

Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship

Division One

Maldon 247 for 7 (L Fleming 100no, M Coker 69, C Harris 46, M Armstrong 4 for 14). *Frinton 176 (T Stubbs 37, R Everson 33, C Herath 22, J Shillingford 21, T Pugh 6 for 56, J Riley 3 for 39). Maldon (20) bt Frinton (7) by 71 runs.

*Mildenhall 277 for 7 (B Shepperson 90, A Squire 80no, K Holmes 41no, A Reynolds 28). Haverhill 182 (L Youngs 73, S Webb 29, B Moran 21, A Warraich 4 for 44, B Shepperson 3 for 55). Mildenhall (20) bt Haverhill (7) by 95 runs.

*Woolpit 188 for 9 (A Northcote 61, C Rutterford 41, Jon East 4 for 39, A Nel 4 for 40). Copdock & OIs 192 for 7 (J Cawkwell 42, James East 30no, H Thomas 21, T Jenkin 21no, A Northcote 4 for 44). Copdock (19) bt Woolpit (7) by 3 wkts.

Mistley 248 for 8. *Abberton 109. Mistley (20) bt Abberton (5) by 139 runs.

Coggeshall 283 for 6 (C Lesiak 98, B Ovenstone 90, O Blackwell 34). *Exning 281 for 9 (M Catley 84, L Bryant 52, T Catley 32, D Atkinson 27, J Grove 22, W Blackwell 5 for 89). Coggeshall (19) bt Exning (8) by 2 runs.

*Wivenhoe 215 for 6 (B Godleman 67, M Durrell 53, T Harwood 26, J Richardson 4 for 47). Ipswich 162 (J Rowett 36, C Bell 25, J Rusby 23, D Hondo 20, M Durrell 5 for 47). Wivenhoe (20) bt Ipswich (6) by 53 runs.

Division Two

*Brockley 217 for 8 (S Fisher 95, P Kearney 43, D Cowley 24, J Brotherton 4 for 53, M Fernley 3 for 50). Easton 218 for 6 (A Barker 94, M Fernley 49, S Chorlton 26, R Webb 3 for 56). Easton (19) bt Brockley (8) by 4 wkts.

*Dunmow 245 for 5 (L Swanston 105, C Barker 48, N Coupe 41, J Willsher 4 for 63). East Bergholt 240 (R Hunter 73, J Barnett 59, W Harris 22, P Reid 4 for 56). Dunmow (20) bt East Bergholt (7) by 5 runs.

*Hadleigh 185 for 9 (T Piddington 54, M Dias 44, M Spence 31, D Reynolds 3 for 63). Lakenheath 189 for 4 (R Bond 58no, R Horrex 52no, S Leech 22). Lakenheath (19) bt Hadleigh (6) by 6 wkts.

*Brightlingsea 163. Braintree 166 for 4. Braintree (20) bt Brightlingsea (5) by 6 wkts.

*Elmstead Grasshoppers 214 for 7 (M Perrin 70, A O’Brien 41, J Elliott 37, J Butcher 23, G Driver 3 for 61). Ipswich & East Suffolk 206 for 8 (S Worne 77, H Hazelwood 35, M Worne 32, D White 3 for 46). Elmstead Grasshoppers (19) bt Ipswich & ES (8) by 8 runs.

*Woodbridge & OWs 176 for 8. Witham 177 for 6. Witham (19) bt Woodbridge (7) by 4 wkts.

Division Three

*Clacton II 195 (Asif 104, T Shahid 4 for 52, D Snell 3 for 39). Felixstowe 132 (J Lander 47, R Jones 30, M Fowler 5 for 26, M Comber 4 for 48). Clacton II (20) bt Felixstowe (7) by 63 runs.

*Copford 303 for 8 (J Bell 69, A Reid 52no, C Reid 51, G Northover 38, R Pryke 3 for 40). Bury St Edmunds II 197 (A Kizis 49, P Scherb 38, S Cordell 31, S Aldous 27, S Moriarty 4 for 23). Copford (20) bt Bury II (8) by 106 runs.

Sudbury II 161 (P Harris 27, K Moulton Day 22, A Simmons 21, A Parsons 3 for 35). *Kelvedon & Feering 164 for 6 (J Baker 49, A Yates 42, J Parsons 27, I Stobbs 20). Kelvedon (20) bt Sudbury II (6) by 4 wkts.

*Halstead II 217 for 8 (P Cooper 59, N Dakin 52, J Rose 22, J Watson 3 for 28). Worlington 221 for 2 (T Osborn 65, G Ford 59no, J Watson 59, C Estlea 24no). Worlington (19) bt Halstead II (6) by 8 wkts.

Mildenhall II 78 (A Trett 22, S Hudspith 4 for 14, P Gray 3 for 2). *Little Bardfield Village 81 for 3 (D Hymas 40no, D Bass 25). Bardfield (20) bt Mildenhall II (1) by 7 wkts.

*Coggeshall II 134. Stowmarket 137 for 9. Stowmarket (20) bt Coggeshall II (6) by 1 wkt.

Division Four

*Copdock & OIs II 351 for 4 (R Sharpe 133, A Raj 87, A Baker 53no, H Gravell 23). Yoxford 163 (C Mears 57no, J Percival 41, D Cialini 23, K Banham 4 for 18). Copdock II (20) bt Yoxford (5) by 188 runs.

*Ipswich II 225 for 8 (S Connelly 68, R Gibson 37, S Porter 27, S Lawson 3 for 68, B Readman 3 for 68). Exning II 167 for 8 (S Lawson 29, S Readman 26). Ipswich II (19) bt Exning II (7) by 58 runs.

*Ipswich & East Suffolk II 233 for 5 (S Surendra 113no, M Howlett 33, K Howlett 25, M Sproats 22). Woolpit II 165 (A Stewart 34, M Hobbs 31no, A Bullett 30, P Rabone 3 for 16). IES II (20) bt Woolpit II (5) by 68 runs.

*Long Melford 231 for 8 (N Wright 93, H Walters 36, L Phillips 30, G Boon 26, M Holt 27no, I Booth 4 for 45). St Margarets 147 (J Silburn 31, S Whitehart 7 for 64). Long Melford (20) bt St Margarets (6) by 84 runs.

*Mistley II 231 for 6 (J Scott 129no, P Palmer 27). Hadleigh II 210 for 9 (R Smyth 57, R Green 30, D Green 30no, B Tampion 21, L Knights 4 for 60). Mistley II (19) bt Hadleigh II (8) by 21 runs.

Wivenhoe II 214 for 6 (P Wilson 64no, R Stacey 52, A Haines 33, A Alambrides 20no, A Burgess 4 for 36). *Needham Market 220 for 4 (S Ward 61no, R Hill 48, A Hill 42). Needham Market (18) bt Wivenhoe II (7) by 6 wkts.

Division Five

*Great Bromley 293 for 4 (C Perrin 122, L Fisher 72, D Mittal 3 for 87). Abberton II 171 (S Elson 63, B Rudlin 48, J Perry 26no). Gt Bromley (20) bt Abberton II (5) by 122 runs.

*Harwich & Dovercourt 128 (N Cowley 47, N Van Hootegem 4 for 9, J King 3 for 42). Kelvedon & Feering II 129 for 9 (T Potter 32, D Schofield 22, N Cowley 5 for 33). Kelvedon II (20) bt Harwich II (6) by 1 wkt.

*Maldon II 235 for 7 (S Coker 102, J Collins 57, S Gozzett 28). Bury St Edmunds III 236 for 5 (P Godden 142no, K Dobson 43). Bury III (18) bt Maldon III (7) by 5 wkts.

*Mildenhall III (20) received a walkover from Boxted (0).

*Witham II 201 (M Headley 64, R Rainsley 59, C Spence 32, N Patel 5 for 51, J Hambrook 3 for 37). Frinton II 202 for 4 (J Hambrook 58no, R Stockdale 57, T Sinclair 45, J Carter 27no). Frinton II (20) bt Witham II (7) by 6 wkts.

Division Six

*Braintree II 235 for 4 (J Foyster 72, R Ainsley 68no, M Fullgrabe 40). Copford II 224 (K Young 49, S Samaranayake 45, P Gould 43, M Tracey 33, J Ainsley 4 for 56, R Ainsley 3 for 26). Braintree II (20) bt Copford (7) by 11 runs.

Melton St Audry’s 61 (N Brunning 5 for 12). *Haverhill II 62 for 1 (J Kettle 37no). Haverhill II (20) bt Melton St Audry’s (0) by 9 wkts.

*Ipswich III 262 for 8 (K Williams 64, N Cook 62, B Manning 32, P Culley 27, I Knight 23, K Perez 3 for 35). Kesgrave 183 for 7 (S Colver 48no, D Gallant 38, S Whitney 25, S Patel 24, P Culley 4 for 53). Ipswich III (18) bt Kesgrave (8) by 79 runs.

Felixstowe Corinthians 232 for 4 (A Harrison 79, J Gibbs 67no, C Monteith 40, M Sawyer 22). *Nacton 202 for 6 (A Brunt 90no, J Warner 42, M Cook 36). Felixstowe Corinthians (18) bt Nacton (7) by 30 runs.

*Tuddenham 205 for 5 (M Smith 90, D Cross 62no). Elmstead Grasshoppers II 207 for 5 (G Collen 84no, A Prestney 37, P Cocker 20no). Elmstead II (18) bt Tuddenham (7) by 5 wkts.

Division Seven

Ipswich IV 157 for 6 (R Fairbanks 34, B Connelly 27, M Porter 25no, N Peartree 23no). *East Bergholt II 158 for 6 (A Fairchild 36, T Molton 28no, V Tooke 25, R Woolston 22no, K Cloud 3 for 10). East Bergholt II (18) bt Ipswich IV (6) by 4 wkts.

*Felixstowe II 160 for 7 (D Bennett 52, I Connell 32no, M Collins 22, M Hoadley 3 for 47). Long Melford II 163 for 5 (C Boon 34 ret, M Hoadley 34, S Martin 27no, J Lane 20no). Long Melford II (18) bt Felixstowe II (5) by 5 wkts.

Halstead III 145 for 8 (A Jones 49no, B Coleman 21, P Bird 3 for 43). *Stowmarket II 148 for 5 (A Hawes 50no, S Walter 3 for 53). Stowmarket (19) bt Halstead III (4) by 5 wkts.

*St Margarets II 108. Sudbury III 111 for 3. Sudbury III (20) bt St Margarets II (2) by 7 wkts.

Division Eight

Harwich & Dovercourt II 84 (R Harman 41, S Hallows 5 for 39, W Mitchell 3 for 9). *Easton II 87 for 2 (A Bennett 39, S Halliday 27). Easton II (20) bt Harwich II (1) by 8 wkts.

*Eye & District (20) received a walk over from Brockley II (minus 20).

DBSL 88 (B Garnham 35, B McManus 4 for 7, J Handscombe 3 for 6). *St Osyth 92 for 3 (A Hazelton 34no, J Handscombe 20, J Rogers 3 for 38). St Osyth (20) bt DBSL (1) by 7 wkts.

*Tendring 153 (P Baker 54, S Starling 28, S Stobbs 3 for 19). Kelvedon & Feering III 108 (S Stobbs 30, D Gibson 5 for 34, D Flood 4 for 34). Tendring (20) bt Kelvedon III (6) by 45 runs.

Coggeshall III 216 (C Girling 54, C Gibson 46, N Willis 45, N Moltu 38, Y Willemse 5 for 45). *Witham III 217 for 5 (J Chick 86no, A LimaSmith 32, D Wilson 21). Witham III (20) bt Coggeshall III (7) by 5 wkts.

Division Nine

*West Bergholt 129 (C Southernwood 46, M Wilkin 4 for 29, L Conway 4 for 60). West Mersea 118 (J Tilsley 27, M Wilkin 27). West Bergholt (20) bt West Mersea (6) by 11 runs.

*Worlington II 201 (S Smith 57, M Bacon 43, A Gallop 26, M Turner 4 for 52, A Ward 3 for 51). Nowton 202 for 2 (S Danson 98no, L Kretzmann 61, M Ainsley 20), Nowton (20) bt Worlington II (6) by 8 wkts.

Elveden 297 for 6. *Bury St Edmunds IV 195 for 8. Elveden (19) bt Bury IV (7) by 102 runs.

Division C

*Copdock & OIs 140 (E Waddleton 53no, L Dobson 5 for 16). Clacton 10 for 0 off 2 overs, match abandoned. Copdock 8pts, Clacton 11.

*Mistley 200 for 9 (J Jackson 77no, M Goff 47) v Frinton, match abandoned. Mistley 11pts, Frinton 10.

Ipswich 175 for 1. *Brightlingsea 152 for 9. Ipswich (19) bt Brightlingsea (3) by 19 runs.

Ladies’ Challenge

*Woolpit 118 for 6 off 24.1 overs (T Nunn 43no) v Woodbridge, match abandoned. Woolpit 7pts, Woodbridge 9.

Ladies’ T20

Frinton v Bury St Edmunds cancelled.

*Mistley 123 for 7. Bury St Edmunds 116 for 7. Mistley (19) bt Bury (8) by 7 runs.

* denotes home team