EAPL: Vauxhall Mallards make it four in a row as Gt Witchingham take derby honours against Norwich

Matthew Collinge on his way to a half century for Norwich against Great Witchingham Picture: Tim Ferley (Image: Archant)

All six games went ahead – and Vauxhall Mallards and Great Witchingham will be delighted they did.

Mallards made it four wins on the bounce as they scored a 97-run win at Cambridge Granta, while the Witches came out on top in the derby clash with Norwich at Walcis Park, winning by four wickets.

Mallards were put in at Clare College and were indebted to half centuries from opener Matthew Plater (55), Nicholas Smit (66) and 42 from Ollie Stone as they reached 216 all out from 56.5 overs.

Granta then felt the force of Mallards' experienced bowler Paul Bradshaw (2-18), who picked off opener Ben Claydon cheaply, before Ben France (2-23) trapped Chris Benjamin lbw. Bradshaw sent opener Jonathan Atkinson back for 31 and Granta were struggling.

Jack Newby on his way to a century for Norwich against Great Witchingham Picture: Tim Ferley (Image: Archant)

They slipped to 76-5 and then 103-7 as Smit (3-29) got in on the act. Sam Tinkler helped himself to 2-23 as Granta's resistance ended after 39.5 overs when they were finally skittled out for 119.

Mallards banked a healthy 28 points which edged them another place up the table, to 10th – conveniently leapfrogging their weekend opponents.

Over at The Common, Swardeston slipped down a place to fourth after they drew with Mildenhall – which allowed Burwell & Exning to slip into their third place after their victory over Horsford.

Swardeston put their visitors in to bat and it was Nick Maiolo who did the damage with a fine 131 as the visitors racked up 361. Thomas Oxley was Swardeston's main man with the ball, taking five wickets for 54 runs, with two each for Peter Lambert (2-33), who accounted for Maiolo, and Joseph Flatt (2-51).

In reply, Swardeston lost openers Jason Reynolds (8) and Jordan Taylor (43) but Stephen Gray and skipper Joe Gatting set to work. Gray eventually went four runs short of his century while Gatting scored 53. Peter Lambert and Lewis Denmark went cheaply but there was a late flourish from Freddie Ruffell (59) and Jeremy Elliott (22). Ultimately, though, Swardeston came up short on 309 so shared the honours.

Horsford lost by a wicket at Burwell. The local side made 328-9, with good knocks from Chad Bowes (80), Ryan Findlay (59) and Will Rogers (56). But the hosts knocked the total off in 56.3 overs, thanks in large part to a century from Tom Griffiths (121). The wickets were shared between Findlay, Chris Brown and Callum Metcalf, with three apiece.

Great Witchingham beat Norwich by four wickets in an enthralling encounter that went down to the penultimate ball at Walcis Park.

Norwich chose to bat, but found themselves in some bother at 75 for four. But South African Jack Newby looked solid and with new signing from Horsford Matt Collinge the pair revived the innings.

A stand of 126 saw Newby bring up a well-crafted century while Collinge marked his debut with a half century, moving the score to 201. With Norwich looking to score quick runs to set a challenging total, Andy Hanby returned to the attack and took three quick wickets to dent their hopes of a big score, the innings ending on 233 with Newby unbeaten on 128. For Witchingham there were three wickets for Hanby and two for Mike Jones.

In reply, James Spelman carried his bat for 111 with Hanby a good ally with 56 needed from eight overs. But the game was sealed in the fifth ball of the last over. Max Goodrum was the pick of the Norwich bowlers with 3-53.