Talbots back on top

Sudbury (207-4) bounced back from a home defeat the previous week with an emphatic six-wicket victory at Cambridge (204-9).

With Mildenhall losing to Great Witchingham, Sudbury have gone back to the top of the East Anglian Premier League, opening up a 20-point lead.

For the first time this season, Tom Huggins won the toss and put Cambridge in to bat on a good-looking pitch.

Jonny Gallagher struck in the first over to give the visitors the perfect start, and it got even better when Dustin Melton had danger-man Michael Pepper caught at point by Ben Parker.

Melton wasted no time in clean bowling Cambridge captain Jonny Atkinson for zero to leave the home side 32-3.

Melton continued to threaten throughout the innings and managed to claim two more scalps, finishing with 4-78 from his 17 overs.

At the other end, spinners Huggins and Tim Johnston gave excellent support.

Johnston kept things tight by conceding just 42 from 15 overs, but it was Huggins who claimed the wickets, taking 4-45 from 17 overs.

Despite eight Cambridge batsmen getting into double figures, the home side could not manage a significant partnership to see them post a competitive total. They finished on 204-7 from their 64 overs.

In reply, a superb first-wicket partnership of 118 between Huggins and Adam Mansfield effectively ended the game as a contest.

Mansfield remained positive throughout his innings and struck nine boundaries on his way to his first half-century of the season.

Huggins struggled for timing early in his innings, but found his rhythm after the tea break, striking 10 fours and a six in his 72-run stay at the crease.

Sudbury lost two further wickets on the way to their target, but Darren Batch (30no) and Johnston (28no) saw them over the line with more than six overs to spare.

Sudbury are on the road again on Saturday when they visit Postwick to take on Norwich (11am).

l Sudbury II (151) lost to Clacton-on-Sea (284-6) by 133 runs in Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Division Two.

Stuart Whitehart took three wickets for 94 as Clacton piled on the runs, Kieron Parkes (114), Harlan Greig (99).

In reply, only three batsmen made double figures – Peter Siegert (44), Steve Witham (42) and Dale Brett (39). The result leaves Sudbury third from bottom in the standings.

l In Division Eight, Sudbury III (103-0) beat Bardwell (102) by 10 wickets, Charlie Thomas taking 7-43 as the visitors were skittled. Willie Amos (65no) and Christopher Cook (32no) saw Sudbury home.