Clacton all-rounder Michael Comber made an emphatic start to the new Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League season.

The rising star, who has just joined the professional ranks at Essex, helped his side to a 17-run victory at home to Cambridge Granta.

Having recently returned from a successful season in Australia, he looked every bit a county cricketer on Saturday.

His bowling performance against a strong Cambridge side was exceptional and his figures of eight for 21, including a hat-trick, was a new EAPL record.

Clacton lost the toss and were asked to bat first on a green wicket at Vista Road.

All their batsmen struggled against an accurate pace attack and, with wickets falling regularly, a low score was on the cards.

Only Martyn Cull showed any real comfort and skill at the crease, bringing his half-century up just before lunch – a fine effort in the circumstances.

However, when Cull was finally out, the Clacton batters only managed another 27 runs, being bowled out for 127.

Only captain Martin Smith and overseas star Craig Williams reached double figures.

The Granta reply started as Clacton’s ended, with regular wickets falling.

At 15 for three, with Smith grabbing two early victims, Granta were staring defeat in the face.

However, Cherry and Park put together a determined and enterprising stand of 66 for the fourth wicket which again turned the tables on Clacton.

Then it was time for Comber to shine, taking the ball for his second spell of bowling.

In his first spell, he took one wicket for ten runs.

His second was a match-winning performance, though.

He took the last seven wickets, including a hat-trick of lbws, in six overs for 11 runs.

It was an incredible display of aggressive bowling which broke the back of the Granta innings.

Comber’s spell of bowling saw the visitors collapse from 81 for three to 110 all out in the space of an hour.

His figures of 11.3 overs, eight for 21 is a league record and enabled Clacton to win the game by 17 runs, taking 25 points.

Meanwhile, Halstead suffered a nine-wicket defeat at Fakenham in their EAPL opener.

Batting first, they were skittled for just 97, with their only significant contribution coming from Thomas Philp, who made an unbeaten 41.

In reply, the Highfield Lawn side eased to 101 for one, with opener James Brown contributing 52.