CRICKET: Veteran bowler Graham Owston, who has helped to keep Saxmundham afloat over the last few years, produced one of the best bowling performances ever recorded in the Medite Suffolk Alliance on Saturday.

VETERAN bowler Graham Owston, who has helped to keep Saxmundham afloat over the last few years, produced one of the best bowling performances ever recorded in the Medite Suffolk Alliance on Saturday.

Saxmundham's challenge at the top of Section D has slipped in recent weeks, and at Pettistree they only put 105 on the board thanks to 48 from W Barker.

However, once Owston got to work the home side did not know what had hit them. They crashed to 18 all out, with Owston claiming nine for five in his six overs.

Owston has been a regular for the village side for many years, and has seen them move up and down the sections of the Alliance.

Tom Rash scored a century and Guy Bower added an unbeaten half-century as Section A leaders Wortham kept up their title bid with a 50-run win at Bawdsey.

The visitors' total of 189 for four proved to be enough despite the efforts of Neil Flower, who replied with 72 not out.

Thomas Mills have not given up hope of a successful defence of their title, and they sent Nacton packing for just 61 on their way to an eight-wicket win. Martin Stratford took a hat-trick to finish with figures of four for three in six overs.

Melton St Audry's rattled up their biggest total of the season with Doug Andrews (71) and Malcolm Grubb (47) leading the way. A late assault from Justin Cattermole (29 not out) and Mick Utting (24 not out) pushed the total up to 240 for five and Marc Younghusband took four for 19 as Woodbridge II were bowled out for 104 in reply.

The entire Sunday programme was washed out, but Yoxford kept up their challenge in Section B with a five-wicket win over Mallards on Saturday. M Sands had scored 50 in a Mallards total of 126 for eight (Spencer Chorlton four for 30) and Howard Knights (30), N Collins (27) and Julian Emeny (24 not out) carried Yoxford to their total.

Needham Market enjoyed a 69-run win at Waldringfield in Section C. Andy Burgess, with 51 and four for five, was their key player.