CRICKET: It is looking more and more likely that the final match of the season, between front-runners Yoxford and Coddenham & Grundisburgh, will decide the destination of the Medite Suffolk Alliance Section A title.

CRICKET

IT IS looking more and more likely that the final match of the season, between front-runners Yoxford and Coddenham & Grundisburgh, will decide the destination of the Medite Suffolk Alliance Section A title.

Coddenham pulled off a fine run chase to beat Mallards to remain snapping at Yoxford's heels at the top and they will be hoping that home advantage will count in their favour for the showdown on September 22.

Mallards, who now seem doomed to be relegated, had done well to put 221 for four on the board thanks mainly to Adam Polley (81) and Kevin Williams (64).

Then Craig Bloomfield (134) and Tom Palmer (71 not out) got to work to knock off the runs in style, winning by eight wickets. Remarkably the match had been reduced to 35 overs per side, with the Mallards rate of 6.3 per over proving to be insufficient.

In another match in which the overs were cut back due to rain, Caribbeans chalked up their first win of the season. Anthony Gibson, with 58, set up a total of 146 for five in 30 overs, and Easton ended on 129 for eight in reply, with Devon Ebanks taking three for 27.

Thomas Mills had just been dismissed for 143 (Martin Stratford 46, Nick Willis 45) when rain stopped play at Sudbourne Hall. Rob Jenkin and Alan Burt had both taken three wickets for the home team.

There was a thrilling finish at Easton on Saturday when the home side snatched a one-wicket win over Bawdsey when their last man, Rosh Roshannon, scored the winning run from the last ball of the day.

Nick Andrews (72) and Darren King (51 not out) had helped nine-man Bawdsey post 182 for six, but Fred Mitchell (76) and Ollie Holloway (72) put Easton on the path to victory.

Holloway was praised by Bawdsey veteran Ken Halliwell for sportsmanship. During the Andrews-King partnership a straight drive hit the stumps at the bowler's end and the non-striker was given out. However, Holloway, the bowler, called the batsman back as he said he had not actually touched the ball before it hit the stumps.

"After more than 50 years of playing local cricket it was nice to see that sportsmanship still exists," said Halliwell.

Adrian Smith continued his prolific season for Melton St Audry's but just missed out on a maiden century at Brantham in Section B. Smith was out from the final delivery bidding to score the three needed for his 100. The visitors total of 238 for four was enough for a 51-run win despite Gary Forster's 54 in reply.

Elmsett were bowled out for 82 by Nacton (Adam Colwill three for 18) and lost by eight wickets.

In Section C the potential title-decider between top two Needham Market and Nomads boiled up to a tremendous finish.

Mark Gibbons (68) and Tony Walker (40) helped Nomads to 181 for eight, but Andy Burgess (59) kept Needham in the hunt. Finally Needham needed 10 off the last over – and they got them to win by four wickets.

Zac Rush scored an unbeaten 132 to lead Worlingworth II to a nine-wicket win over Waldringfield, who had scored 170 for five thanks mainly to Terry Baker's 69 and an unbeaten 43 from Paul Adams.