Vauxhall Mallards had to settle for a draw in their latest Gibbs Denley EAPL match, with Bury St Edmunds clinging on with nine wickets down.

It was extremely hot on Saturday and although there was an occasional breeze it was not enough to prevent some challenging playing conditions.

The home side won the toss and chose to bat first with Matt Plater and Ben France opening the innings. Wickets soon fell before a partnership of 91 between Mitchell Todd and John Ewart brought Mallards back from an uncertain position. They were on 152 for four at the lunch break, although Todd was run out two overs before for 44.

Ewart, who had proved to be Mallards’ best batsman the previous week, repeated his anchoring role to make 72. Luke Caswell (45) and Ali Shearer (40) added valuable runs at the end of the innings to bring Mallards’ total up to 259 for nine off 62 overs.

The sun was still strong when Bury began their innings, even though it was mid-afternoon. Opening bowlers Paul Bradshaw and Adam Todd came in off shorter run-ups but still kept Bury’s run chase in check. They managed to start a gradual acceleration though after Daron Cruickshank came to the wicket when the score was 39-2. He gained the advantage over Mallards’ bowlers in his innings of 141, batting well with first Dom Manthorpe and then Mark Nunn. He was dismissed by a stunning one-handed catch by Plater off Bradshaw, coming back for his second spell.

Harry Barker also took two catches behind the stumps, bringing his total of catches and stumpings in games so far in June to 11. As Bury crept closer to their target they lost three batsmen to run outs and Mallards needed to take one wicket for victory. Neither side managed to get what was needed and the match ended in a draw, with Mallards gaining a points advantage.

The draw had come after a narrow defeat earlier in the week when Mallards lost to Horsford by one run in the Norfolk T20 at Manor Park.

Mitchell Todd had started with an explosive innings of 50 off 26 balls but some tight bowling contained Mallards’ innings. They needed two runs off the last ball but instead Horsford got the last wicket with a run out.

Mallards visit Copdock and Ipswichian tomorrow.