CRICKET: Eye and Woodbridge have been title rivals in the Suffolk Premier League for the past three seasons – but neither have taken the title. They will no doubt be contenders again this season, but once again face strong competition for the title and promotion to Division Three of the Two Counties Championship.

CRICKET

EYE and Woodbridge have been title rivals in the Suffolk Premier League for the past three seasons – but neither have taken the title.

They will no doubt be contenders again this season, but once again face strong competition for the title and promotion to Division Three of the Two Counties Championship.

Two years ago Brockley went up, with Eye second and Woodbridge third; last year it was Woolpit, followed by Eye and Woodbridge again.

When the two rivals meet they always produce close finishes, and Saturday was no exception as Eye sneaked a nine-run win. Twelve months ago it was even closer, as Eye won by two runs to hand out the first defeat of the season to Woodbridge, while the match at Eye was cancelled due to rain.

Woodbridge opening bowlers Paul Ray and Andy Oswald produced lots of lift and pace as Eye found runs hard to come by until sixth-wicket pair A Huggins (67) and Christian Whiting (49 not out) rescued the innings, hoisting the final total to 195 for seven.

Peter Taylor returned to action after a long absence to open the batting for Woodbridge, scoring 31. Mark Keech added 45 and Ed Parker 38, and then Dave Driver's 37 kept the visitors in touch.

However, wily veteran Bob Perrett, who bowled throughout at one end, had Driver stumped on his way to taking five for 83 from 23 overs, and with Ross Stannard picking up four for 66 Eye secured a valuable win.

After a solid start from Paul Pearce (38) and John Wright (34), Walsham batted solidly to reach 165 for seven against nine-man Bourne Vale. Peter Knight's unbeaten 30 held the second half of the innings together as Chris Mutton took four for 61 from 22 overs.

Only Ian Fraser stayed for long for the Ipswich side, who were all out for 79 as Chris Manning and Paul Newman both claimed three wickets.

South African student John Grant was the match-winner for Stowupland at Nowton, scoring 62 and taking five for 34 in a 120-run success. Peter Whitefield weighed in with 67 for Stowuypland.

Exning II suffered their first defeat in the Intermediate Division as Mike Hugman (46) and Sam Oyitch (41) lifted the Stradbroke innings to 167 for four. Steve Warner then grabbed seven for 24 to send Exning packing for 123, opener J Barker scoring 58.

Steve Bartram's unbeaten 137 guided Wortham to their target of 206 at Kesgrave. Tom Young (89) and Austin Mills (42) had led Kesgrave to 205 for seven, but Bartram was in command to lead his team to their first Suffolk League win.

Elveden scored a big win at Kedington as Steve Flack (63), Johann Straus (42), Barry Glister (41) and Harry Vorster (37) all got in the runs in a total of 243 for six. The home side only managed 82 in reply.

Marcus West (77) and Richard Goodenough (56) were the main contributors as Bury III rattled up 231 for four and a 123-run win over Sudbury Police.

THE Ipswich Inter-firm Cricket League Ted Vickery Cup Final is being played tomorrow between Inland Revenue and Thurleston High School Staff. It takes place at Chantry Park starting at 6.15pm and is the 2001 final which has been carried over to this year.