WOOLPIT were involved in a thrilling draw at Cambridge Granta in the Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League on Saturday.

The home team ended two runs short of victory, after scoring 250 for six off 44 overs in reply to Woolpit’s 251 for nine off 66 overs.

After being humbled in their opening match against Sudbury following their elevation from the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship, Woolpit were reduced to 16 for four after losing the toss.

It was then that skipper Michael Jones, who set a new record for the number of runs scored in Division One of the Two Counties last season, was joined at the wicket by Craig Estlea. The pair proceeded to put on 168 for the fifth wicket as Woolpit staged a recovery.

Estlea contributed 80 off 112 balls with eight fours and two sixes before he was dismissed.

Jones, who was on 82 at the time, went on to reach three figures, before falling for 102 made from 148 deliveries with 14 boundaries.

Although they received 12 overs less, Granta came agonisingly close to victory as opener Jonathan Atkinson (92) and Akbar Ansari (102 not out) added 129 for the fourth wicket.

Julian Crudeli was the only Woolpit bowler to take a wicket, ending with figures of 18-0-69-5.

There were also draws for Clacton, Copdock & Old Ipswichians and Sudbury, but Bury St Edmunds were beaten by reigning champions Swardeston.

Josh Wells (114) and Giles Ecclestone (64) compiled an opening partnership of 164 as Saffron Walden reached 267 for seven at Clacton, for whom Lewis Kirk claimed 12-2-55-5.

Clacton responded with 186 for seven, openers Muhammad Atif (45) and Thiranko Rajarate (46) putting on 80 before being parted.

Both fell to the evergreen Tim Smith, who returned the remarkable figures of 18-8-20-5.

Australian Test bowler Peter George marked his home debut for Copdock & Old Ipswichians with 17-2-64-5 as Great Witchingham closed on 226 for nine, Sam Arthurton making 93.

After reaching 91 for one in reply, Copdock’s challenge faded when Martyn Cull was dismissed and they limped to 154 for seven, opener Hugh Thomas fifth man out after top-scoring with 61.

Sudbury’s Ben Hyett bagged four wickets after they inserted Vauxhall Mallards at Friars Street.

But Sudbury never threatened the 255 required for victory, Charlie Phillips ending undefeated on 67 when stumps were drawn with Sudbury 134 for two.

Justin Bishop arrived at the crease with Bury 30 for three at home to Swardeston, and together with Toby Adams (37) added 97 for the fourth wicket.

Bishop was ninth man out for 96 (155 balls, nine fours and a six) as Bury were bowled out for 189.

The target proved no problem for Swardeston, Jonathan Sole smashing 95 off only 51 deliveries which included seven sixes and eight fours, in a four-wicket win.

Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League scoreboard

*Bury St Edmunds 189 all out in 57.3 overs (J Bishop 96, T Adams 37, M Eccles 5 for 50). Swardeston 191 for 4 in 28.1 overs (J Sole 95, C Taylor 48no, S Gray 28, T Robotham 3 for 36). Swardeston (25pts) beat Bury St Edmunds (6pts) by 6 wkts.

Woolpit 251 for 9 in 66 overs (M Jones 102, C Estlea 80, N Jordan 3 for 59). *Cambridge Granta 250 for 6 in 54 overs (A Ansari 102, J Atkinson 92, J Crudeli 5 for 69). Cambridge Granta (12pts) drew with Woolpit (12pts).

Saffron Walden 267 for 7 in 53 overs (J Wells 114, G Ecclestone 65, G Gillard 33, L Kirk 5 for 55). *Clacton 186 for 7 in 48 overs (T Rajarate 46, M Atif 45, M Comber 32, J Hughes 29no, T Smith 5 for 20). Clacton (8pts) drew with Saffron Walden (16pts).

Great Witchinham 226 for 9 in 66 overs dec (Sam Arthurton 93, J Hale 37, J Spelman 35, C Rogers 24, P George 5 for 64). *Copdock & Old Ipswichian 154 for 7 in 59 overs (H Thomas 61, M Cull 23, J Cawkwell 21, C Rogers 3 for 25). Copdock & Old Ipswichian (8pts) drew with Great Witchingham (12pts).

*Horsford 100 all out in 59 overs (L Caswell 31, M Wilkinson 26, K Adhav 4 for 18). Burwell 104 for 9 in 43 overs (J Keyt 29, G Goosen 26, L Caswell 5 for 33). Burwell (25pts) beat Horsford (5pts) by 1 wkt.

Vauxhall Mallards 245 for 7 in 52 overs (S Goldsmith 64, S Plater 55, D Turner 37, A Shearer 26, M Platter 20, B Hyett 4 for 64). Sudbury 134 for 2 in 44 overs (C Phillips 67no, P Siegert 34). Sudbury (6pts) drew with Vauxhall Mallards (12pts).

* Denotes home team.