FRINTON sent shockwaves through the Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League after downing leaders Cambridge Granta at Ashlyns Road.

And jubilant skipper Mark Jones believes his impressive side are becoming a “force to be reckoned with”.

“Everybody now knows we’re worthy of our place in the Premier League,” he said.

“We put on a great show and it seems to keep getting better and better for our supporters, who really appreciate this standard of cricket.

“We’re increasingly a force to be reckoned with.”

When Granta skipper Jon Atkinson won the toss, he took a punt on Cambridge batting first to claim 30 points, knowing title rivals Swardeston always bat second, which gives only 25 points.

Granta’s opening pair of Atkinson and Dougie Rice put on 120 before the latter was out LBW to the bowling of Sri Lankan spinner Gi Dilruk.

With Atkinson looking increasingly comfortable, Jones decided to accelerate the over rate, with Dilruk bowling in tandem with Ted Moulton.

Moulton began to work through the Granta middle order, with only Atkinson managing to score effectively.

Moulton ended up taking five wickets for 57 runs from his 17 overs, while Granta reached 234 for eight in their 64 overs.

In reply, Frinton got off to a bad start when opener Michael Griggs was bowled by Raj Singh for nine.

Fellow opener Moulton was joined by Matt Foakes and they worked hard for a 40-run partnership before Moulton departed for 26. Foakes reached 54 before being caught while Mervyn Westfield hit a lightning-fast 50.

Frinton were now on par with the required run rate and with Kyran Young (40 not out) and Dilruk (44) batting sensibly, the home team crossed the line with two overs to spare.

The Granta gamble had back-fired and Frinton took 25 points to see them move into third in the Premier League.

They return to their travels on Saturday with a visit to league strugglers Horsford.