CRICKET: DBSL have snatched the Medite Suffolk Alliance Section B title after a terrific weekend.They beat previous leaders Melton St Audry's II, and then third-placed British Telecom the next day to complete their programme – and none of their rivals can now overhaul them.

CRICKET

DBSL have snatched the Medite Suffolk Alliance Section B title after a terrific weekend.

They beat previous leaders Melton St Audry's II, and then third-placed British Telecom the next day to complete their programme – and none of their rivals can now overhaul them.

It was hard work at Melton. After 20 overs they had only reached 40 for two, but then recovered well with useful late runs from Graham Howland (25no) to put 145 for nine on the board.

St Audry's were never in the hunt as Howland destroyed their top order with six for 20.

Next day S Gadne scored an unbeaten 48 to take BT to 160 all out, but then Richard Warmsley followed up his three wickets with a half-century to set up a four-wicket win – and the title.

Andy Laughlin was a worthy man of the match as Needham Market beat Southwold to win the John Bright Memorial Plate at Easton.

Southwold had batted well enough to score 157 for nine. Laughlin, with two catches and a stumping, helped restrict the seasiders, and after Simon Mortimer had put Needham on the right path with 36, he shared an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 65 with Steve Last (26no) to carry his team home.

Needham now hope to complete a notable double with success in Section C of the Medite Suffolk Alliance.

In Section A, Yoxford's high-scoring win over Mallards kept them in touch with leaders Coddenham & Grundisburgh and back in second spot.

Spencer Chorlton, with seven sixes in one over on his way to 125, took the headlines but there were also solid contributions from Howard Knights, Julian Emeny and Gary Butler as Yoxford put a mighty 334 for eight on the board.

Mallards did well to claim maximum batting points in reply as they reached 175 for eight, with David Howe (29) and Adam Polley (22) their top scorers.

Yoxford need to win their next two games, against St Audry's and Thomas Mills, to set up a title showdown at Coddenham on September 22.

Sudbourne Hall continued their good end to the season with a nine-wicket win at Bawdsey. Nick Andrews (47) and Ken Halliwell (40no) lifted the Bawdsey total to 163 for seven, but Tom Jenkin (59no) and Mick Peck (87 no) sped the Hall to their target.

St Audry's also lost at home to Nacton, with David Hunt and Dave Hogarty both scoring 50s before John Bafico grabbed eight for 38 for the winners. The runners-up spot is up for grabs, with St Audry's, Nacton and BT still in with a chance.

Asad Mir was in good all-round form with four for 31 and an unbeaten 73 as Woodbridge II beat Eye II by seven wickets.

In Section C teenagers Robin King (54) and Billy Robinson (47) led Easton III to 199 for six and a 111-run win over Pettistree.

Zac Rush (73no) and Adam Patterson (50) pushed Worlingworth's total up to 204 for four at Martlesham, and there were three wickets each for Willie Muggleston and Roger Gobbitt as the home side were bowled out for 127.

Cameron Monteith, with 61, made the difference as Felixstowe Corinthians scored 194 for eight to win by 36 runs at Kesgrave.

Tattingstone III confirmed their Section D title with a 10-wicket win over Halesworth, who were bowled out for 65, while Castle did the same in Section E after a 16-run win over nearest rivals Rosary Cavaliers.