WOOLPIT look to be determined to make a quick return to the Two Counties Championship.In their first match back in the Club Colours Suffolk Premier League, following relegation last season, they made an impressive start with a high-scoring win at Yoxford.

WOOLPIT look to be determined to make a quick return to the Two Counties Championship.

In their first match back in the Club Colours Suffolk Premier League, following relegation last season, they made an impressive start with a high-scoring win at Yoxford.

They produced a very solid batting display, with openers Andy Newcombe (83) and skipper Damon Large (64) laying the foundation which allowed Gerhardus Vosloo (56 not out) and Darrin Steward (69 not out) to take the final total on to 296 for two. Although a big total, Yoxford were not overawed as they know their own track and the short boundaries. However, Australian openers Damian Cialini (29) and Adam Dumesney (16) both fell to Adrian Starling, and Mark Keetch was out soon after.

But from 54 for three youngsters James Alder (76) and the in-form Jed Cawkwell (88) shared a partnership of 159. It was Steward, who has joined Woolpit from Bury, who broke the partnership when he had Alder caught by Barry Collins, and when Cawkwell soon folowed the innings slumped from 236 for five to 249 all out. Steward collected four for 44 from four overs - very alliterative - and Vosloo ended with three for 44.

Eye, runners-up last season, made a bad start when they lost by 91 runs at home to Thurston. Richard Baker's 57 was the backbone to Thurston's 220 for five, with good support from Neil Baker (38), Jason Smithers (38) and Dave Cobourne (32 not out). Then Nick Drewery, James Flower and Goodwin grabbed three wickets apiece and Eye were sent packing for 129.

David Werthmann's unbeaten 129 carried Exning II to an eight-wicket win over Melton St Audry's, and Steve Flack's four for 23 helped dismiss Stradbroke for just 68 to give Elveden a 163-run win.

Rob Wrinch scored 123 as Earl Stonham won by 117 runs away to Easton II in Division Two.

There were also plenty of runs in the MSC Suffolk Alliance on Sunday, as batsmen took advantage of the good weather and fast outfields.

Joe Rusby scored an unbeaten century as Thomas Mills won by 108 runs at Southwold, Rob Tooke hammered an unbeaten 129 as Wortham thrashed Melton St Audry's by 214 runs, Dave Adams made 148 and still ended on the losing side as Castle lost by 27 runs to Felixstowe and the highest scores of all saw Tom Dickerson rattle up 131 and Julian Scott an unbeaten 174 as St Margaret's racked up a gargantuan 380 for two in 40 overs to beat Rosary Cavaliers by 203 runs.

Ipswich are setting the pace in Section A after beating Yoxford by three wickets. Steve Bell took seven for 38 as Yoxford scored 203, but 68 from Arbaz Khan and 51 from Steve Porter saw Ipswich home.