Namibian international Craig Williams blasted 154 not out but Clacton had to settle for a draw against Godmanchester.

It was a high-scoring day at Vista Road on Saturday.

Godmanchester opening pair Michael Lloyd and Wayne Bradley put together an EAPL record-breaking opening stand of 163 as they faced a massive total of 274 to win in 54 overs.

A clatter of wickets looked to have derailed their chances but the tail-end batsmen held out for a very creditable draw.

Namibia’s ‘master blaster’ Williams had earlier posted a best-ever 154 not out, batting for just short of three hours and his free-hitting yielded 92 runs in boundaries.

Clacton won the toss and set to work on a good batting wicket but, with the two openers back in the pavilion with 42 on the board, pressure was on the home side to set a decent total.

Williams then came to the crease and dominated the remainder of the innings.

He and James Alder (19) added 57 for the third wicket and, although wickets fell, useful partnerships of at least 26 runs were formed as the home side enjoyed some batting practice.

Williams savaged all the bowlers except Baldwin and Paul Swannell, who only bowled ten overs, and the spinners were despatched to all parts of the ground, with Davis McCallum conceding 89 runs in 13 overs and James Sykes 57 runs in 11.

Godmanchester skipper Paul Swannell had to reshuffle his batting order due to injury but his openers, in unfamiliar roles, quickly began to dominate the attack.

Lloyd (75) led the way as both he and Bradley (82) posted their best-ever EAPL scores and, at 173 for one with 22 overs remaining and nine wickets in hand, the visitors looked set for a famous victory.

However, after Bradley became Nuno Bernades’ first victim, no batsman really played themselves in.

Only Swannell (22) reached double figures as the rejuvenated attack began to rip through the side.

It was left to Michael Cafferkey (six not out), coming in at number nine, and Elliott Baldwin (14 not out) to play out the last seven overs to steer Godmanchester to their second successive away draw this season.

Bernades was the most successful bowler with three for 27. Halstead, meanwhile, are still looking for their first victory in the EAPL as they lost to Vauxhall Mallards by seven wickets on Saturday.

Three Halstead batsmen were among the runs.

Bobby Don (37) top-scored, hitting five fours and two sixes in his 72-ball innings, while Chris Barton (30) and Tom Philp (24) also batted well.

In reply, Philp again struck early but the Norfolk side ran out worthy winners.