CRICKET: WOOLPIT scored a thrilling win over Bourne Vale to keep up the pace at the top of the Suffolk League Premier Division.The Ipswich-based team have had a mixed season, spoiled by having to concede a match at Stowupland when they could not raise a team.

CRICKET: WOOLPIT scored a thrilling win over Bourne Vale to keep up the pace at the top of the Suffolk League Premier Division.

The Ipswich-based team have had a mixed season, spoiled by having to concede a match at Stowupland when they could not raise a team. As it happened it was a wet weekend and all of the rest of the programme was washed out, while they received a 20-point penalty.

However, they began with great resolution as Duncan Carragher (77) and Marty Daniels (38) batted through a sticky start before assuming control until Tim Parker (three for 56) and Martin Eeles (two for 41) halted the assault. Martin Cotton then cracked a quickfire 32 not out to lift the final Bourne Vale total to 212 for six.

Andy Newcombe (69) and Tim Parker (63) gave Woolpit a solid base but the loss of three quick wickets seemed to tip the balance in favour of Bourne Vale. Then Barry Aldous produced a match-winning 50 not out, dispatching the Bourne Vale bowlers to all areas of the pitch and ending matters with an over to spare with a straight six back over the bowler's head.

The hard-earned win kept Woolpit clear of Woodbridge, who saw off Bury III by 194 runs. It had not looked like that when Woodbridge slipped to 55 for five, but then Ed Parker (83) and Dave Driver (87 not out) took the score up to 218 for six. Paul Ray (two for four), Bruce Tompkins (five for eight) and Will Nichols (three for 11) then skittled Bury for just 24.

It was Phil Cook's half-century that took Stowupland past the Exning II total of 162 for five (Duncan Reed 56), setting up a three-wicket win that keeps Stowupland in the top half of the table.

Thurston and Nowton both recorded comfortable wins in the Intermediate Division. The prolific Richard Baker only scored 42, but his brother scored 74 not out as Thurston reached 200 for five on their way to a 99-run win over Worlington II, and Martin Pettitt hit five sixes on his way to 107 not out as Nowton beat Stradbroke by 58 runs.

In the Federation Cup Walsham sneaked home by just eight runs away to Bury St Edmunds. Tony Davies top-scored with 63 in a Walsham total of 172 for five and Bury were restricted to 164 for eight in reply.