CRICKET: Felixstowe Corinthians failed to prevent Thurston from taking another step towards a remarkable hat-trick of championship wins.Having been promoted as champions of McNeil Sports Suffolk League Division One in 2000, Thurston ran away with the Suffolk League Intermediate Division with an unbeaten record last season.

CRICKET

FELIXSTOWE Corinthians failed to prevent Thurston from taking another step towards a remarkable hat-trick of championship wins.

Having been promoted as champions of McNeil Sports Suffolk League Division One in 2000, Thurston ran away with the Suffolk League Intermediate Division with an unbeaten record last season.

Now they are on the threshhold of winning the Suffolk Premier title at the first attempt, and, after ten wins, they are still on course to complete a second successive unbeaten season with seven games remaining.

A comprehensive 164-run win away to Felixstowe Corinthians – their nearest rivals – just about wrapped things up on Saturday.

However, they had a few worries before securing the all-important win at Coronation Park. Tight bowling restricted them to 34 for three before Richard Baker (86) and Cook (34) led the recovery, with Richard Sadler's late unbeaten 45 pushing the final total up to 236 for six. Corinthians were bowled out for just 72 in reply, suffering their third loss of the season.

All the other teams have lost at least four times, which means Thurston would have to lose at least three times in the rest of the season to give their rivals a chance.

Woodbridge were denied a win when rain stopped play against Eye. The home side had posted 252 for nine (Peter Taylor 83) with Bob Perrett taking five for 126. Christian Whiting (83 not out) dominated the Eye reply of 140 for five, but with 11 overs left and 113 runs needed the rain came.

Steve Smith's 75 helped Bourne Vale to 146, but visitors Walsham were rescued by number nine Paul Newman, who hammered an unbeaten 60 to set up a three-wicket win.

Zac Rush (74) and Mark Rodwell (55 not out) carried Worlingworth to their target of 182 for a six-wicket win over Tuddenham, while Nowton were bowled out for 119 and a seven-wicket loss at Stowupland.

Bury St Edmunds III had a win and a defeat as they held on to top spot in the Intermediate Division. On Saturday former Ipswich Town goalkeeper Clive Baker scored 95 and Austin Mills 62 to set up a Kesgrave total of 223 at the Victory Ground. James Holland claimed five for 85 as the home side were restricted to 184 for eight in reply.

Next day former Suffolk batsman Roger Howlett (120 not out) and Stuart Nunn (50) helped Bury to 229 for six. Wortham were 181 for seven in reply, with Steve Bartram scoring 68 not out.

HALF centuries from Doug Andrews and Graham Denny helped the Medite Alliance Seniors to a victory over the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Over-50s at Framlingham College with an over to spare.

In a 45-over a side match, the Two Counties had amassed 211 for seven with John Stuck and Stuart Berger leading the way with 75 and 52 respectively.

However, the Medite side paced their innings well with Easton's Fred Mitchell also scoring heavily.

Two Counties Over-50s 211 for 7 (Stuck 75, Berger 52, Muggleston 2 for 47, Barnes 2 for 53). Medite Alliance Seniors 212 for 4 (Andrews 74, Denny 57 n.o., Mitchell 42, Penny 2 for 34). Medite Seniors won by 6 wkts.

The Two Counties Over-50s have a double date with Maldon seniors during their cricket week on Friday with one game at Draper's and the other at the Prom.

The team for Draper's is: Phil Cox (capt), Graham Penny (both Long Melford), Barry Ball (Abberton), John Stuck (Clacton), Neal Manning (Browns), John Stonehouse (Eight Ash Green), Sylvester McKnight (Boxted), Martin Blackwell (Coggeshall), Peter Mitchell (Brightlingsea), Paul Dale (East Bergholt) AN Other.

The team for the Prom is: Stuart Carpenter (capt), Richard Kemp, John Pettifer (all Long Melford), Benny Hill (St Margaret's), Don Curtis (Copford), Brian Robinson, Martin Southwell (Braintree), Chris Simmons (Clacton), Don Quennell, Martin White (Browns), Alan Cooke (Copdock & OIs).