The East Anglian derby pitted Bury St Edmunds away to Sudbury, visitors captain Josh Cantrell won the toss and elected to bowl, early success as Ali Allchin had Darren Batch well caught at slip by Justin Bishop for 4 but opener Ned Overbury batted well along with the league’s leading run scorer Adam Jones taking the score to 105 before the Whittaker brothers combined, wicket keeper Max taking the catch off brother Ben as Overbury was out for a well-played 58. The key for Sudbury was Manelker De Silva who earlier in the season had scored 134 against Bury in a rain affected drawn match joining Jones. The turning point in the match came in the first ball of the 30th over when a big mix saw both batsmen at the same end, Harry Gallian’s throw to Ben Whittaker had De Siva run out for 24 with the score on 145, Sudbury lost momentum and there followed a major batting collapse Gallian catching both Jones (62) and Ben Parker (6) Ben Harris removed 3 batsmen with the score going from 169.4 to 171.8 in the space of 9 deliveries, with final figures of 3.39. Cantrell ended the innings on 196 as Patrick Sadler became his 3rd victim leaving him with 3.28.
Bury got off to a poor start losing Will Routledge and Will Jarman with just 17 scored Sudbury sensed a chance to capitalise but the experience of Justin Bishop and sound batting from Gallian put on 124 before Bishop was out for an excellent 74, Gallian followed having scored 62, it was left to Cantrell and Harris to finish the match scoring 35 runs off 20 deliveries that included 4 x 6 as the visitors scored 198.4 to win the match.
Elsewhere the real battle is to which club might finish bottom and have to play off with the winners of the 3 feeder leagues, Ashmanhaugh won a close encounter with Downham Stowe by two wickets their second consecutive win but remain bottom on 216 just below Mildenhall ( 222) who lost at home to Horsford.
Frinton (223 points) lost their 4th match in a row Bury now go above Great Witchingham (239).
Next Saturday the 4 basement sides play one another as Mildenhall visit Great Witchingham and Ashmanhaugh host Frinton.
Bury’s 2nd team had a very good win at home to Haverhill winning the toss and batting first Bury scored a very good 257.7 Openers Zyan Imam (22) and Archie Jones (29) made a solid start with Alan Barker making 35 but the star performance came from Thomas Davey with 102 not out from 92 deliveries, Tom joined Bury from Garboldisham where he often opened as well as being a key bowler, supported by Sam Aldous (31) and Oliver Riddick (10 not out) this proved a formidable total.
Haverhill were never really likely to reach the total required as Joe Corder ( 4.42) removed the first 4 batsman with 78 scored Krishna Sinha’s 9 overs taking 1.37 as it was left to Oliver Riddick to complete the innings with 4.31 which included top scorer Nick Griggs for 51. Bury winning by 92 runs.
It is all set for a thrilling finish to the Two Counties League Division 2, Mistley on 307 points are likely to be champions Bury now are 2nd with 273 third are Sudbury (259) fourth Dunmow (254) and fifth Haverhill (247) and sixth Copdock on 241. Promotion could go down to the last game when Bury visit Mistley.
Bury’s 3rd team were away to Felixstowe batted first and scored 158 Amma Fida top scored with 39 and Owen Grisby made 35. 3 wickets each for Matt Flecknoe and Alex Maclead. The home team were grateful to Jamie Burrows who scored 96 guiding them to a 7 wicket win.
Bury’s 4th team were away to Woolpit’s 4th team Bury scored 155.9 with 38 from Jala Pathan, 28 from Viq Ahmed and 23 from Graham Baalam and 17 from Ben Baldock. the home team scored 159.2 to win the match both wickets taken by Pathan.
Greene King Players of the Week Justin Bishop, Harry Gallian, Thomas Davey, Joe Corder and Oliver Riddick.
Byron Burgers Player of the Week Thomas Davey.
Next week Bury are at home to Downham Stowe in the EAPL the 2nd team are away to Woolpit’s 2nds 3rd team are away to Yoxford and the 4th team have their final league match at home to Bardwell 2nds.

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