Bury record second win of the season in Mildenhall derby
Bury St Edmunds cricket club have given themselves a serious boost in their hope of remaining an East Anglian Premier League side after recording a 21-run victory away to Mildenhall on Saturday.
Bury (223-7) went into the EAPL derby with only one win under their belts from 15 outings this season, and were 77 points adrift at the foot of the table, but beat Mildenhall (202) to close the gap to 49 points.
A crucial 84-run knock from overseas Murray Commins and economical bowling proved the difference for a side in a poor position with six games remaining.
The home team won the toss and put Bury in to bat first, which looked like a bad decision as Bury had only lost two wickets by the 25-over point (the game was reduced to 50 overs).
Useful knocks from captain Sean Park (41), Alfie Marston (29) and an unbeaten 23 from James Sturgeon added to Commins runs to see the visitors set a total of 223-7.
In reply, Mildenhall put together a team batting performance but struggled to find the big score with James Stamatis (39) with the side’s highest total.
Nick Maiolo (28), Ben Curran (25), Murtaza Hussain (23) and Ben Shepperson (22) added to the score but a high 31-run extras column also helped Mildenhall’s total.
They lost wickets in batches as Bury’s bowlers got their tails up and dismissed them 21 runs short of victory on 202.
Josh Cantrell took 3-34, Sean Cooper 2-39, Park 2-34, George Loyd 1-33 and Alastair Allchin 1-36.
Bury will look to record back-to-back wins for the first time this season when they host Cambridge Granta at The Victory Ground on Saturday (11am).
Mildenhall, meanwhile, will look to get back on top of their destiny with their trip to Copdock & Old Ipswichian (11am).
They currently lie in fourth place in the EAPL, one point behind third-placed Frinton-on-Sea.
l In Division Three of the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship, Bury II (110) lost to Long Melford (255-6) by 145 runs.
They will play away to Dunmow on Saturday (1pm).
l In Division Six, Bury III (156-7) lost to Sudbourne (263-6) by 107 runs.
They will host West Bergholt in their next fixture on Saturday (1pm).
l In Division Nine West, Bury IV conceded to Haverhill III as they could not raise a side.
They host Lakenheath II on Saturday (1pm).
l In the Suffolk Cricket League, Battisford & District (157-8) lost to Bury Sunday I (272-10) by 119 runs.
On Sunday, the first team are at home to Long Melford while the second team are at home to Cavendish.
l Greene King Players of the Week: Murray Commins, Sean Park, Sean Cooper, Josh Cantrell and Ollie Selfe.