Vauxhall Mallards turned in an excellent display with the ball to stun East Anglian Premier League lesders Sudbury on Saturday.

After being restricted to 162-7 off 54 overs Mallards bowled their hosts out for just 126 to claim a fine 36 run victory.

Mallards won the toss and elected to bat first. Rain started just after half an hour’s play when they were on 23 for one off 10 overs. An early lunch was called so the time lost was kept to an hour which meant the overs were reduced by 19.

After the break Sudbury’s seam bowlers maintained their incisive attack and Mallards struggled to score runs and they also lost wickets.

John Ewart kept them in the game with a solid 61, He came to the crease at the fall of the second wicket and remained not out. His partnership with Brett Stolworthy (34) produced 72 off the last 12 overs which turned Mallards’ score into a more competitive one.

Sudbury had 47 overs to reach their target, having lost 13 due to the rain delay earlier in the day. They lost three wickets in the first 10 overs before the tea break, two batsmen, Huggins and Batch, being bowled by Ben France and Mansfield being trapped by to Paul Bradshaw.

Sudbury kept up with the runs required but crucially lost wickets to the Mallards seamers. Adam Todd bowled an attacking spell which brought him three wickets while France finished with the day’s best figures of five wickets for 23 runs off 13.2 overs with seven maidens.

Despite some determined batting towards the end Sudbury never had enough and lost their last wicket 36 runs short as Mallards secured some much needed points.

Mallards face another big test tomorrow when they host champions Swardeston (11am).

Acle’s fine run of form in the Premier Division of the Norfolk Alliance came to an abrupt halt when they were well beaten by North Runcton.

They did well to restrict Runcton to 215-9, with Shaun Roberts and Joe Flatt taking two wickets apiece, but that modest total proved more than enough to secure victory. Acle, who had won their previous four games, were bowled out for just 136 with skipper Josh Rowe top scoring from No 9 with 34 and Jack Major taking 6-18.

Acle are at home to Downham Town tomorrow (1pm),