CRICKET: THE match of the day in the Premier Division of the Suffolk Premier League saw Woodbridge end Woolpit's unbeaten start to the season in a close finish.

THE match of the day in the Premier Division of the Suffolk Premier League saw Woodbridge end Woolpit's unbeaten start to the season in a close finish.

Woolpit went into the clash of the top two knowing victory would enable them to make a huge step towards the title.

After losing by three wickets the race has closed right up, with Woolpit still leading from Woodbridge but with Eye making ground from the middle of the pack.

Put into bat on a good wicket, the Woolpit openers Tim Parker(55) and Martin Eeles(29) started steadily against some tight Woodbridge bowling, and then Andy Newcombe (78) helped increase the tempo.

Newcombe was run out with three overs to go and the final tally was 214 for six with Matt Parker taking three for 50, while Andy Oswald only conceded 51 runs from his 17 overs.

Adie Barham, an opening bowler turned opening batsman, put Woodbridge on course for victory.

He scored 84, and with 61 from Ollie Johnson Woodbridge closed in on their target until there was a late flurry of wickets.

However then Parker and Oswald, who had bowled well in partnership earlier, batted well together to see Woodbridge home.

Eye moved above Bourne Vale with a nine-wicket demolition of their rivals.

The Ipswich-based side struggled to 119 for nine in their 45 overs, with Christian Whiting and Bob Perrett conceding just 64 runs from their 32 overs and Smith collecting four for 13.

After the early loss of Ian Crane, P Shelly (36 not out) and Dave Whiting (67 not out) took Eye to victory without being parted.

Bottom team Exning II enjoyed their first win of the season at home to Felixstowe Corinthians.

The visitors lost wickets regularly against Matthew Lubbock (three for 27) and Jack Bunning (three for 41). From 62 for five they recovered thanks to Jon Jacobs (39) and Andy Shaw (35) but a final total of 151 was never likely to be enough. Peter Allen (51) and Duncan Reed (43) ensured that it wasn't, setting up a six-wicket win.

Due to a shortage of numbers, teams in the Intermediate Division are playing each other three times this season.

Richard Baker will be sad that Thurston have now completed their three-game session against Stradbroke – but the Stradbroke bowlers will no doubt be glad to have seen the back of him!

The incredible fact is that in the three matches Baker has scored a century each time.

His latest effort was shared with his brother Neil, as they put on a 197-run partnership to set up a nine-wicket win.

Stradbroke had posted 199 for eight, with Dave Allum scoring 96, and they were then encouraged by

dismissing opener R Sadler without scoring.

Then the fabulous Baker boys got going, Richard chalked up his fifth century of the season with an unbeaten 108 while Neil added 77 not out.

Richard Baker has now scored 325 runs for once out against Stradbroke – that helps his average!

Unpredictable Stowupland followed up their fine win over Eye with a disappointing display at Walsham. They were bowled out for 126, thanks mainly to last pair Jamie Bloom (31 not out) and Trevor Scarlett (21). Chris Manning (five for 26) and Mark Rothan (four for 64) did the damage.

Bloom then weighed in with four wickets, but Jon Wright (23), Tony Davies (29) and Paul Newman (25 no) made sure that Walsham won by four wickets.

Worlingworth went on a run spree at home to Bury IV. Zac Rush (127 not out), Dave Courteen (123 not out) and Eric Davy (55) took advantage of a good wicket to post 333 for one. Bury were bowled out for 139 in reply with Martin Cuthbert taking four for 19.