Halstead crashed to their second successive East Anglian Premier League defeat, losing heavily against current leaders Vauxhall Mallards at Star Stile.

Looking to bounce back from a comprehensive eight-wicket defeat against title contenders Cambridge St Giles seven days earlier, the writing was on the wall again for Halstead before a ball had been bowled as they were forced to travel to Norwich with only ten men because of a mix-up involving Danny Griggs.

Already depleted by injury and holiday call-offs, Halstead were always up against it, but skipper Paul Harris and his Star Stile ten battled manfully to bowl out championship favourites Mallards for only 197.

South African seamer Dean Feneysey, who took seven wickets for Halstead's third eleven a week earlier, enjoyed a memorable Premier League debut.

His figures of 5-48 from his 14.2 overs were against a Mallards team that included former Derbyshire duo Roger Finney and Steve Goldsmith.

Sadly Halstead's batting was no match for the bowling of Goldsmith (3-14 from 10.5 overs) and David Marshall (4-58 from 18 overs) and they were dismissed for 130 with only John Clinch (20) and Andy Sapey (36) really troubling the scorers.

Clacton's match at Swardeston was rained off with each team collecting three points.

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