Sudbury took another decisive step towards winning the Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League title, for the first time in their history, by comprehensively defeating Suffolk rivals Mildenhall on Saturday.

First-team skipper Tom Huggins, and club captain Darren Batch, both plundered superb centuries as Sudbury powered to victory by the huge margin of 152 runs at Wamil Way in a very one-sided contest.

Huggins and Batch shared a second wicket partnership of 222 as Sudbury rattled up an imposing total of 305 for three off their 50 overs.

Out-of-sorts Mildenhall were then bowled out for just 153 in their reply, Ben Shepperson top-scoring with 33, to hand Sudbury an impressive 15th win from 20 starts this summer.

Sudbury therefore retain their 21-point lead at the top, ahead of defending champions Swardeston, who blitzed Frinton by 171 runs at Ashlyns Road on Saturday.

Ironically, the top two meet on the final day of the season, at Friars Street.

There are two matches remaining for all teams. Leaders Sudbury travel to bottom club Horsford this weekend, before entertaining Swardeston on the final day for a potential title-decider.

“We have been in pole position for most of the season, and we want to keep it going for the last two weekends,” enthused Batch, who was 130 not out at the close of Sudbury’s innings.

“It looks like going down to the wire against Swardeston on the final weekend, but Tom (Huggins) has made it clear to us all that we must just focus on the Horsford game, and not look any further ahead.

“Horsford are fighting for their lives, so they will be scrapping for everything this weekend.

“We simply cannot take anything for granted, but if we can beat Horsford to get 25 points, then that means we will only need four points from the final match against Swardeston to win the league.

“Saturday was another very good win for us. We have been remarkably consistent all season,” added Batch.

Huggins scored 109 off 120 balls in his top-notch knock, while Batch celebrated his second league century of the summer, before the bowlers did their bit with another excellent all-round display.

Mildenhall, promoted from the Two Counties Championship last season, have had a difficult second half of the campaign, but are safe in eighth spot.