The home side batted first, but were soon in trouble as James Holmes bagged two early wickets. Frannie Bester got the affirmative on two lbw appeals before Phangabantu claimed his first following a catch behind by Karl Holmes.

Shropshire joined Taylor at the wicket and they took on the Mildenhall attack as the Sudbury score passed 100. At 144, Craig Andrews induced Shropshire (32) to a top edge that Andy Youngs took comfortably.

Andrews struck again when the score had reached 159 before Holmes claimed a smart stumping and the Sudbury innings eventually closed on 196.

In reply, Mildenhall advanced at four per over until Richard Cross (18) was adjudged lbw. Chris Baugh and Holmes compiled a 50-run partnership before the hosts switched to a spin attack.

The match changed completely as Mildenhall advanced a mere 20 runs and lost vital wickets. Baugh finally struck four successive fours before he was stumped on 53.

Andy Squire continued his fine form but played on after reaching 17 and James Holmes went first ball as Mildenhall reached 156-7 off 39 overs.

Luke Turner (22) played calmly while Andrews (27no) tried a more forceful approach. Together they inched to the line leaving it to the penultimate ball to strike the winning run in an unbeaten 41-run partnership.

However, Halstead’s victory left Mildenhall Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Division One runners-up.

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Mildenhall 2nd X1 entertained East Bergholt in Division Three, knowing a win would secure second place and promotion.

East Bergholt openers raced to an unbeaten century partnership before Steve Lankester broke through. He picked up two more wickets before D Taylor and Frame added a further 71 runs to take East Bergholt past 200.

Mildenhall claimed five wickets cheaply in the run chase and were relieved to pull East Bergholt back to 237-8.

Alex Reynolds and Ziaf Kulasi progressed the Mildenhall reply to 36 before wickets began to fall. However, Martin Taylor (61) struck the ball around and, with his partner Ben Shepperson (49), kept Mildenhall in the hunt.

They were both dismissed and it was left to the ever-reliable Lankester (26no) to guide the side through to victory.

The result confirmed that they finished in runners-up spot and will be promoted to Division two next season.

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The 3rd X1 travelled to Maldon, who batted first and were restricted to 156-7 by some economical bowling. Pick of the Mildenhall bowlers was Martin Coverdale with 2-17 off 6 overs.

Mildenhall’s reply saw Alex Lee in fine form, carrying his bat with an unbeaten 81. He was supported by the club chairman Steve Hunt (23) and Adam White (35no), the duo seeing Mildenhall home with an unbroken fifth wicket partnership of 58.

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On Sunday, Mildenhall 1st X1 went to Exning for a Hunts County Bats League game.

When Matt Catley was dropped, the visitors were made to suffer as he hammered Mildenhall bowlers to all parts of Exning Park.