Swardeston remain top of the EAPL after their two-wicket victory over Copdock & Old Ipswichian at The Common.
Michael Eccles ripped through the visitors’ top order, removing Adrian Nel, Martyn Cull and Jed Cawkwell for ducks as the visitors were reduced to four for three.
Simon Dyer joined in the act with only Christie Viljoen (17) showing resistance as Copdock limped to 31 for seven. Hugh Thomas (23) battled away with the tail adding 32 for the eighth wicket with James East (11) and the visitors managed to post 82 as Eccles finished with six for 36, Dyer taking three for 29.
In reply Swardeston soon struggled themselves with Michael Parlane, Jordan Taylor and Peter Lambert all dismissed for ducks as the leaders reeled to seven for three at lunch.
Lewis Denmark steadied the ship after the resumpton, adding 36 with Stephen Gray (20) for the fourth wicket and 25 for the fifth with Ian Tufts (16). Denmark finally fell after a mature 34 with the scores level and Eccles fell at the same score to give the game a closer look than was the case.
The 2nd XI limped home against Horsford in Division One, to return to winning ways.
Extras top-scored with 27 as Horsford were dismissed for 116, with Rob Newman taking 3 for 20 and Sam Thelwell 3 for 24.
Having at one stage been 55-1 in reply, Swardeston squeezed home on 117 for eight to win by two wickets.
The 3rd XI remained top of Division Two despite suffering their first defeat, by seven wickets at closest challengers Beccles.
Dale Reynolds (53) and Ben Hogg (46) put on 84 for the second wicket as Swardeston made 188 for three batting first. However, the Porters combined for Beccles to steer them home comfortably.
In Division Five, Swardeston CEYMS lost by four wickets to Stow A at Hilltops. Tom Snelling top-scored with 28 as the hosts totalled 126 for eight. In reply, Stow reached their target in the 44th over.
