Competition for places is hotting up as the early season rust has worn well away and the oiled machines are running at full power.

Three wins from three on another super Saturday, although the Sunday teams came off a little worse in a Woolpit double-header. The ladies lost a thriller on Friday night, falling just six runs short at home to Abberton.

Batting performances of the week were from Steve Witham (142) as the Twos put Little Bardfield to the sword, and Colin Walters' 130 for the Threes at Halstead.

Steve's brutal 142 was equally matched by Charlie Thomas' six wickets in a magnificent spell of seam bowling in the same game.

Darren Batch scored another half-century as the Firsts chased 125, while Jandre Coetzee picked up another five wickets and Billy Moulton-Day finally got some deserved luck scalping the first four in a penetrative opening spell.

Andy's hotshots cleaned away local rivals Halstead, scoring a massive 313.

Unfortunately the celebrations on Saturday may have hindered Sunday as at home we fell to 150-run defeat, Phil Halliday taking 4-69, and away we lost by 80 runs, Andy Holness' 47 the highlight.

Competition is always said to be the best headache for a captain, but it can also be another captain's best friend.

Steve O'Brien and Andy Holness are really benefiting from some determined batting and bowling performances as people push for the chance to play in higher league cricket.

Peter Siegert's first team looks fairly balanced, and bar the previous week's hiccup, are still well on course for the title, but those players below can keep knocking on the door waiting to take any arising opportunity.

The Seconds' win on Saturday was without Chris Cook and Louis Brooks, who were both away. And with Alex Collins and Ben Reece to return from university, and Mathew Wooderson from injury, things only look like getting stronger in the club.

Headaches for some; good news for others.

The juniors, after a stuttering weather-hindered start, are finally playing lots of cricket and doing well.

So far the stars are the Kwik Cricket under-11s who just keep winning, and won again at Mistley on Friday.

They haven't lost any games in the tournaments played so far. Martin Waterfall has a merciless team, which augurs well for the future.

Another string to our bow is the link with the Hundon Academy, where Colin Walters has been further trimming and honing the skills of some youngsters.

Nathan Poole (37), Tom Beaumont (46) and Simon Walters (50 no), all from this branch of the juniors, performed well on Saturday and Colin's work is really paying off.

Some good news off the pitch. Chris Powell proposed to Sarah while on holiday, and she said yes.

It looks to have done his batting some good as he scored an unbeaten 51 on Saturday. Congratulations to them both. We wish them all the best for the future.