FRINTON'S cricketers pulled off a great escape to secure a draw in their Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League contest at Copdock and Old Ipswichian.

Skipper Kyran Young’s recent good luck with the toss continued as he won it and asked the hosts to bat.

Things couldn’t have gone better as Dan Carter removed opener Chris Swallow, caught behind by wicketkeeper Tom Benn with the first ball of the game.

Not to be outdone, Mervyn Westfield replicated this by removing Martyn Cull with the first ball from his end.

Former Woolpit skipper Andy Northcote showed fortitude with his 23 runs, until removed by a peach of a delivery from Westfield.

With Westfield charging in at full pace, it seemed the game might be over quickly when Copdock skipper Tom Rash offered a simple catch in the field - only for it to be dropped.

This was a piece of fortune Copdock turned to their advantage as Rash and Chris Warn then put on an 87-run fifth-wicket partnership.

Warn made 57 until bowled by Tony Stubbs and Rash made 60 until caught LBW by Young.

With Westfield looking dangerous in his second spell, it fell to the Copdock lower order to hang on as best they could while Westfield racked up six wickets for 46 runs off his 18 overs.

Copdock managed 205 for nine in their 64 overs.

In reply, Frinton also endured problems with the new ball.

Mike Griggs departed LBW to Matt Wareing for six and was quickly joined in the pavilion by Benn, also LBW to Wareing, for a duck.

When Murray Commins edged a good ball to slip to be caught off Wareing for 15, it seemed Frinton were heading for trouble at 26 for three.

Westfield and Young then dug in for Frinton and put together a 70-run fourth-wicket partnership.

When Westfield departed for 35 and Young followed shortly after for 37, it seemed if it was not the visitors' days. However, Frinton’s middle and lower order were up to the task and with Matt Foakes hitting 21 before being adjudged LBW to Copdock’s South African Dewald Botha, the platform was set for veteran Stubbs to show his experience.

Stubbs faced 80 balls for his unbeaten 25 and was ably supported by Carter, who faced 45 balls for his unbeaten 10. Frinton had pulled an unlikely draw out of the hat to effectively end any ambitions Copdock might have had of a title challenge this year.

At Ashlyns Road, Lewis Catlow’s second team had a big home win against Coggeshall.

Frinton posted 277 for nine with 46 for Russ Stockdale and 91 for Joe McDevitt.

In response, the visitors were bowled out for 145, with Russ Stockdale taking four wickets for 41 runs.

Frinton host Burwell in the East Anglian Premier League on Saturday at Ashlyns Road, starting at 11am.