Cricket: Historic promotion beckons for Sudbury
SUDBURY Cricket Club are on the verge of playing at their highest ever level next season, after seeing off nearest challengers Coggeshall in a crushing six-wicket victory.
The town's oldest sports club could potentially wrap up an historic promotion to the East Anglian Premier League at Friars Street at the weekend, should the Essex side suffer a similar defeat again.
Saturday's emphatic win has left Sudbury needing a maximum of 38 points out of a possible 60 from their last three games to seal the title, which all come against teams struggling at the bottom.
Two Counties league officials have confirmed this week the Talbots would be in line for an automatic promotion to the East Anglian Premier League, without the need for a play-off.
It comes after neighbouring leagues have this year opted not to put their league winners forward for the deciders, the winners of which are required to meet minimum ground requirements to make the step up.
Sudbury captain Peter Siegert said: "Even if Coggeshall win all their last three games, with the maximum 60 points, by our calculations we need 38, so it gives us a little bit of breathing space, but we would rather wrap it up sooner."
South African Jandre Coetzee took four wickets as Coggeshall were bowled out for 108, with Darren Batch's half-century seeing the Talbots over the line with six wickets to spare.
"Our fielding was excellent," said Siegert.
"We took some really good catches and Jandre's bowling figures were very, very good, although in the first few overs it did not look like it was going to be his day."
Clinching the title and earning promotion to the East Anglian Premier League would cap a magnificent season for Sudbury, who tasted heartache in the play-offs back in 2004 and 2007, losing to Witchingham and Fakenham respectively.
A convincing win against bottom side Ipswich and East Suffolk on Saturday (2pm start) and, depending on Coggeshall's result, the champagne could be taken off ice with two games remaining.
And after his side ran established East Anglian Premier League side Bury St Edmunds close in the semi-final of the Greene King Suffolk Cup on Sunday, Siegert is confident they are ready for the next level.
"I think we have the players there that can compete and that is the important thing," he said.
After Sudbury collected the maximum 20 points in Saturday's game and Coggeshall only went away with three, the Suffolk side's average stands at 17.85, compared to Coggeshall's 16.25. The Essex side must perform away at mid-table Exning on Saturday to stand any chance of taking the title race down to the wire. Officials at Sudbury have indicated a step up to the East Anglian Premier League would be subject to a committee meeting, but the feeling is there would be an overwhelming majority in support. Sudbury captain Peter Siegert, seen here in action against Bury St Edmunds on Sunday, is set to lead his side over the line and into the East Anglian Premier League.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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