The contrast between the two sides was there for all to see.

Thurston's team entirely consisted of players aged 25 to 45, Stradbroke had just three over the age of 23.

Even with their skipper out to James Ling with just three on the board, Thurston's familiarity did not allow for panic.

Richard Baker (28) and Jason Smithers (43) added 65, as Ling, in particular, posed questions with his accurate swing bowling.

The game opened up with the introduction of James Grigg, who removed both Baker and Smithers.

Wallis and Sadler made 20s, and Grigg missed a five-wicket haul by the width of a dropped caught and bowled, finishing with 4-54.

Still 134-5, with ten overs remaining, represented a good effort in the field.

But Stradbroke have forgotten how to win, so as J Flower and R Wakeman pursued quick runs, the home side could not plug the dyke, leaving them chasing 219, with Flower unbeaten on 58.

At 6-2, the fat lady was gargling in her dressing room.

Alan Barker finally lost his patience after scoring 27, and threatening a return to his best form, while Steve Warner chose the belligerent route on his way to 25.

All eleven Stradbroke batsmen got off the mark, but no-one could make their mark on the game.

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Yoxford 103 Worlingworth 105-1
A trip to Yoxford is usually a tough encounter dominated by the bat.

However, the predicted run feast failed to materialise on Saturday as Worlingworth, winning the toss and fielding, took charge of the game from the start.

Simon Rodwell's third-over dismissal of King brought key man Cialini to the crease, who, despite losing partner Bennett (8) lbw to Derek Cook, soon began to find the short boundaries with brutal regularity.

A long afternoon hunting for the ball in the neighbouring field looked likely and that feeling increased as Cialini received a lifeline when a low chance was spilled by Nesling at mid-on. The reprieve was shortlived though, as the next delivery – a Cook slower ball – deceived the Australian, clean bowling him for 28.

Panic set in for the home side as two successive wickets fell to run outs and Rob Von Elling picked up his first wicket.

Re-enter Cook and his accurate spell started to yield more success, taking the remaining four wickets – to finish with 6-25 from 10.5 overs as Yoxford were hurried out.

Never a player to stand on ceremony, Eric Davy, along with Rob Nesling proceeded to reach the target as quickly as possible, as 28 were smashed from the first three overs.