Mildenhall lost the toss and were asked to bat first on a greenish wicket with plenty of cloud cover about. Once again Mildenhall got off to a bad start when in the first over Frannie Besters call for a run was rejected by Alex Reynolds and Bester was unable to make his ground and was run out for just one run.

Elmstead, who opened their bowling with two ex locals, Adie Garnham (ex Mildenhall) and Nigel Dennis (ex Fordham), used the conditions well and kept Reynolds and his new partner Richard Cross contained for the first 10 overs.

At this point Reynolds (5) went back to a ball from Dennis and was bowled. Jimmy Watson (4) came in at four and had barely settled when he miss drove a ball from Garnham and caught at mid-off by Cooper leaving Mildenhall on 31-3.

Luke Turner returning to the first team after showing good form in the 2nd X1, joined Cross and they steadily moved the score on 72 before another mix-up saw Cross run out for 35.

Ziaf Kulasi was next in batting at his lowest placing in the 1st X1 this season and immediately set about increasing the run rate. He was in dazzling form at he drove and pulled, firstly the opening attack and then the change bowlers to all parts of the ground. He reached 50 in the 34th over.

His command of the bowling allowed Turner to flourish as he joined in with some exquisite batting. The pair took Mildenhall past 150 in the 36 over. Kulasi now playing with abandon survived a sky high catching chance before Turner moved to his 50. The pair had added 118 when Kulasi's third skied catching chance was held and he was out for 84.

Steve Lankester kept up the momentum as he took 26 from 23 balls and James Holmes scored even quicker as he collected 27 in just 16 balls. Turner was finally out caught at deep backward square for 62. Mildenhall had in the end recovered to 261-7 in their overs. Adie Garnham claimed 4-56 off 16 and Dennis also sent down 16 overs and took I-56.

Elmstead began their reply with the early loss of Foster (4) when he edged a ball from Phangabantu straight behind to wicketkeeper Karl Holmes. Richards then gave the keeper and bowler their second wicket when he was caught for nine and Elmstead on 22. Prestney and Kunarajah then dug in and compiled a 50-run partnership that appeared to be a platform to a run chase.

However Kunarajah (26) then top edged Bester and was caught by Lankester. A swift piece of fielding by Cross saw Sargeant (8) next to go as he was easily run out leaving Elmstead on 87-4. An interruption for rain made the wicket more difficult and with Bester striving to make amends for his earlier disappointment Elmstead went into free fall. They lost their last six wickets for 32 runs as Bester picked up four wickets and Lankester mopped up the two tail enders.