THE Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship team was once again too strong for the opposition in the annual Over-50s Four Team Tournament at Ipswich CC’s Clay Hall ground on Sunday.

In a repeat of last season the Two Counties beat Ipswich in the final, with the MSC Suffolk Alliance beating Hunts County Bats in the third place play-off.

The draw pitted John Stuck’s Two Counties team against the Alliance in the semi-final and solid batting ensured a good total.

Jon Wiseman (26), Suffolk Over-50s captain Tony Stubbs (38) and Kevin Dobson (21) helped lift the final tally to 130 for six.

In reply the Alliance fell well short at 93 for eight, after slipping to 55 for six.

On the adjoining main pitch hosts Ipswich held Hunts to 100 for six and knocked off the runs in 17.2 overs. Ray Black (29) and Barry Ball put on 50 before Paul Mobbs struck with a fine spell of 4-1-7-4 to restrict the Hunts side.

Steve Porter’s 49 from 41 balls set Ipswich on the road to victory, and again there was a 50 opening partnership with Rick Jones scoring 22. Graham Denny finished the chase off with an unbeaten 20.

In the final Porter was bowled by Nigel Dennis without scoring, and they never really recovered as they posted 78 for nine in their 20 overs, with Denny holding things together with 29.

The Two Counties bowlers kept on top with Dennis, Martin Southwell, Stubbs and Dave Hinchcliffe all taking two wickets and Ian Johnson one. Stubbs guided his team home with an unbeaten 41 with Wiseman (14) and Steve Isaac (12 not out) lending support.

The third-place play-off saw the Alliance overhaul the Hunts total of 117 for three thanks to an unbroken partnership of 85 between Doug Andrews (44 not out) and Neil Place (44 not out). Earlier Black (48) and Ball (28) had put on 72 before being parted.

Man of the Match awards were made to Mobbs (Ipswich), Stubbs (Two Counties) Place (MSC Alliance) and Black (Hunts).

The Trophy was presented to winning captain John Stuck by Suffolk Cricket Board chairman Roger Troughton. A total of �244 was raised on the day which will be donated to the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Over-50s Four Team Tournament

Semi-finals

Hunts County Bats League 100 for 5 (R Black 29, P Mobbs 4 for 7). Ipswich 101 for 5 (S Porter 49, R Jones 22, G Denny 20no). Ipswich won by 5 wkts.

Two Counties 130 for 5 (T Stubbs 38, J Wiseman 26, K Dobson 21). MSC Suffolk Alliance 93 for 8 (M Grubb 25no, S Cooper 20). Two Counties won by 37 runs.

Final

Ipswich 78 for 9 (G Denny 29). Two Counties 82 for 2 (T Stubbs 41no). Two Counties won by 8 wkts.

Third-place play-off

Hunts 117 for 3 (R Black 48, B Ball 28). Alliance 118 for 3 (D Andrews 44no, N Place 44no). Alliance won by 7 wkts.