Bishop among the wickets on his return

BURY St Edmunds skipper Justin Bishop enjoyed a solid bowling comeback over the weekend as his side closed the gap on league leaders Swardeston in the Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League.

Having injured his hamstring playing for Suffolk a month ago, Bishop returned figures of 6-1-20-4 for Bury on Saturday and 10-2-30-2 for Suffolk against Bedfordshire on Sunday.

Bury ran out 74-run winners over Cambridge Granta to close the gap on league leaders Swardeston, as the Norfolk side fell to a shock defeat at Horsford.

Bishop said: “It was nice to get 16 overs under my belt this weekend and come away not feeling any effects in my hamstring. While I was pleased to get a few wickets myself, the main damage was done at the top of the order by Ben France once again who has taken 14 wickets in three weeks now.”

After losing the toss and being put in to bat on a difficult pitch, Bury had to work hard for their total of 193. In reply, France and Bishop took four wickets apiece as the visitors were all out for 119.

Bishop said: “We suffered an early loss, which was to be expected, but a couple of good batting performances got us a through a sticky patch. Nick Lee in particular battled through for a well earned 50.”

Bury's 24-point return means they are now just six points behind Swardeston, who lost their 100% record with a shock 12-run loss to Horsford.

Bishop said: “I had a little glance at the Swardeston score on Saturday night but, as I have said before, we just have to keep winning our own games because there is a lot of cricket still to be played.”

Elsewhere in the Gibbs Denley EAPL, Clacton's low reply of 94 saw them lose by 130 runs to hosts Norwich, while Great Witchingham secured a nail-biting two run victory at Godmanchester as the hosts failed to make the three required runs with three wickets left.

In the league's other match, Vauxhall Mallards had the better of a draw with Fakenham.