FRINTON Cricket Club skipper Kyran Young admitted a draw was always on the cards in Saturday’s Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League stalemate at Burwell and Exning.

The hosts were put into bat and made 324 for six, with Tyron Koen amassing 111 not out, Andrew Bramley 102 and Jamie Seabrook 53.

Frinton tried as hard as possible to chase down their target but finished on 263 for eight, with Mervyn Westfield (pictured) top-scoring with an unbeaten 92, Michael Comber making 69 and Pulina Tharanga 36.

And Young felt a draw was always inevitable on such a flat pitch that negated all pace.

“We had a strong feeling right from the start it was going to be a draw,” he said.

“The very first ball didn’t even carry to the keeper, so whoever bowled second was always going to do well to get the other side out.

“As a batsman, your eyes light up a bit but from a captain and team perspective, you know you’re in for a long day.

“It’s tough knowing what to do for the best on a pitch like that, if you win the toss.

“Do you bowl first and try and get something out of the wicket?

“Or do you bat first, to try and post a score and win the game?

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

“We bowled pretty well and then when it came to batting, I felt their score could be chased down.

“We had a bit of bad luck right at the start of our innings, due to umpiring decisions, and that put us on the back foot.

“But at one we point we were still good job of chasing, thanks to Merv and Mike.

“Merv’s a very talented player.

“Our position in the table is down to his special performances week in, week out.

“He’s such a consistent performer and seems to play a key role every week, either with the bat, ball or both.

“Mike’s been making runs consistently for a long time.

“He’s a seasoned campaigner and another driving force within our team.”

Tharanga posted the best bowling figures for Frinton, returning two wickets for 86 runs in his 18 overs.

There was also a wicket apiece for Comber, Westfield, James Baker and John Hambrook.

Frinton, who have dipped to fourth in the table, now switch their attention to Saturday’s trip to Horsford.

Only 11 points separate Swardeston, in second, with sixth-placed Burwell.

“It’s so tight and every game is crucial,” added Young.

“Anything can happen and we just have to try and win every week, to keep ourselves in the hunt.”