Frinton fell short against fellow title hopefuls Cambridge Granta at Clare College on Sunday in a 50 over EAPL match postponed from the previous day due to ground unavailability.
Having won the toss and elected to bat Kyran Young’s team got off to the worst possible start when opener Michael Griggs was adjudged LBW off the very first ball of the game. Joe Fowler and Young then set about creating a base with a 57 run partnership. Fowler was run out for 23 having been called to take a risky single and was quickly joined in the pavilion by Young who was bowled by Lewis Hill for 28.
Mervyn Westfield and Mike Comber then set about rebuilding the innings with a 62 run 4th wicket partnership. Westfield made 52 until given LBW and Comber held his bat for an unbeaten 75. There were useful contributions from Kemar Smith (17) and Ish Dar (27 not out) to see Frinton finish on 249/5. Observers reckoned this to be a par score and possibly 20 to 30 runs shorts of a winning score.
Frinton knew their bowlers would have to be on top form but the seam attack of Comber, Dan Carter & Westfield were unable to break through the Granta openers with Northants batsman Ben Claydon looking particularly menacing. The off-break bowling of Barbadian Kemar Smith eventually brought rewards as Douglas Rice was dismissed for 51. This brought Middlesex & England Under 19 Captain Max Holden to the crease and he joined Ben Claydon for a 81 run 2nd wicket partnership. Holden made 28 until dismissed LBW by Smith. Lewis Catlow followed this with the wicket of Claydon who had effectively won the match with his 121 runs.
A late flurry of wickets put some pressure on Granta but the reintroduction of spin backfired on Frinton with some expensive overs putting the game beyond the visitors. Granta cruised home with 6 wickets in hand and 14 balls remaining.
Frinton’s 2nd XI played the previous day at Ashlyns Road in a Two Counties Division 1 thriller against Hadleigh. Some excellent bowling from Skipper Sam Brynes (4 for 37) set the visitors reeling on 17 for 4. Former Skipper Josh Davey arrived to steady the ship with a gritty 49 and was joined by Tom Piddington with an excellent 104 as Hadleigh finished on 226.
Frinton openers Alex Price (27) & Tony Stubbs (65) put on a firm opening partnership and there were further useful contributions from Kemar Smith (18) Tom Benn (32) & Jermaine Shillingford (14) however it was the final partnership between Dom Stockdale (20) & Lewis Catlow (32) that saw Frinton over the line in the last over with one ball to spare.
Frinton entertain Great Witchingham at 11 am on Saturday at Ashlyns Road in the East Anglian Premier League
