CRICKET: COPDOCK and Old Ipswichians moved closer to leaders Exning in the First Division of the Hargreaves Two Counties Championship thanks to their home win over Browns.

COPDOCK and Old Ipswichians moved closer to leaders Exning in the First Division of the Hargreaves Two Counties Championship thanks to their home win over Browns.

With Exning's game being rained off, Copdock's 20 points was just what the doctor ordered and they didn't have too much difficulty doubling their Ipswich-based neighbours.

Browns have lost just two league matches in 2001 – both against Copdock. When Charlie Sadler removed both Copdock openers with just 16 runs on the board the visitors' hopes were high.

But James East and Tristan Jervis then both scored half centuries as the village side lifted their total to 192. In reply, Browns were never in the hunt against accurate bowling and it took 35 runs from number ten Sadler to lift the score from 44 for eight to 100 all out.

John Bell took four wickets for 25 runs in 14 overs leaving Browns as outsiders in what looks like a three-horse race for the title.

At the other end of the table, both Frinton and Felixstowe look in danger of the drop. Frinton lost a vital game against Sudbury while newly-promoted Felixstowe were never really in the game against Ipswich and East Suffolk at Chantry Park.

Rob Glassford and David Leach put the home side in the driving seat with a 102 run second wicket partnership, and Greg Rice provided a more than useful late impetus with an unbeaten 37.

Chasing 222 to win, Felixstowe needed South African Jaque Oberholzer to play a match-winning innings – and he did his best, but received little support.

With John Bloomfield now managing the side, Felixstowe had no answer to former Warwickshire second XI captain Mike Edmond. His 12 overs conceded just 15 runs and included four wickets – all bowled.

Oberholzer was ninth out for 85 and while Edmond was taking a break he put on 63 with Steve Bloomfield for the sixth wicket, but the return of quick bowler Edmond soon brought the game to a conclusion.

Left arm spinner Ian Johnson also bowled well to take four wickets after Johnny Leggett had bowled an economical 11 overs.

In the Second Division, Easton remain in second place despite losing their fourth game in nine starts. Leaders Mistley just got home by three wickets after Chris Branch had helped the home side recover from 64 for five to reach 157 for seven in a match reduced to 80 overs.

Mistley maintained their 100 per cent record despite being 50 for five at one stage. Jonathan Orriss then made 49 and the visitors got home with two overs to spare.

St Margaret's improved their position in Division Three with a win over Copford at Sidegate Avenue, Ipswich. Mark Hillis took seven wickets as Copford were removed for just 114, with Richard Harper leading the way as the home team won by seven wickets.

Achilles' hopes of mounting a promotion challenge from Division Four took a knock with their 36 run defeat against Long Melford at Stone Lodge Lane.

In Sunday's Challenge matches, Copdock had to concede their game against Easton while skipper Adrian Stockton scored a century for Tattingstone – Chris Bell made 70 in a third wicket partnership of 143 – in their 21 run win over Browns.

Robert Thorndyke hit an unbeaten 119 for Ipswich and East Suffolk in Division C on Sunday, but the Chantry Park side still lost to Wivenhoe despite lady captain Tracey Curtis taking three wickets.