In Hunts County Bats Suffolk League, Division Two Mellis lost to Hadleigh by four wickets.Mellis batted first and, despite an early loss, got off to a rattling start, reaching 87 in the 15th over.

In Hunts County Bats Suffolk League, Division Two Mellis lost to Hadleigh by four wickets.

Mellis batted first and, despite an early loss, got off to a rattling start, reaching 87 in the 15th over.

Unfortunately wickets fell regularly and with four wickets down by this time, a big score looked less than promising.

The batsmen consolidated in the 90s, and a seventh-wicket partnership of David Williamson (20 not out) and Mark Prior (18) put on a patient 30 so that Mellis ended up with a more respectable 140 all out in the 39th over.

The other main scorers were Doug Spence (33), Tim Courridge (19) and Chris Farrant (17).

Hadleigh's best bowler was R Tampion, with five for 34 off 10 overs. Wicket keeper M Grayling took four catches and the other two catches taken, by R Tampion, off Neil Spence, and Z Grayling, off Graham Pentelow, were stunners at square leg.

Hadleigh's reply was marked by the steady fall of wickets, with Mellis bowlers keeping a break on the run rate, especially Tim Courridge (10 overs, four maidens, one for 14).

Good catching by Mellis also helped the cause, with Rob Tilley taking two steepling chances.

The most successful bowler was Mark Prior (three for 19 off five overs), with one apiece also for Richard Morgan and Neil Spence.

G Wiles (31) and B Ambrose (35) kept Mellis out and P Tampion, with 29 not out, saw Hadleigh home in 37th over.

Final scores: Mellis 140 all out, Hadleigh 142-6.