FRINTON'S cricketers edged a thrilling contest against Burwell after a run-fest at Ashlyns Road.

In near perfect conditions, the crowd were treated to over seven hours of top-quality Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League cricket.

And on a fascinating day in which over 500 runs were scored, it was the hosts who had the upper hand and finished with 25 points.

Burwell captain Graham Hume was quick to choose to bat after winning the toss, on what proved a batting wicket.

However, Frinton's opening attack of Dan Carter and Mervyn Westfield were quickly among the wickets as both openers and skipper Hume were removed with only 26 on the board.

Essex Academy player Ben Seabrook, fresh from a good knock for the Academy during Frinton’s Cricket Week, held firm and was joined by Middlesex Academy player Alex Bramley in a 62-run fourth-wicket partnership.

Seabrook departed on 32, having been caught by Westfield off the bowling of David Brent, but further support arrived in the form of Lalit Bose, who made 42 before being bowled by Westfield.

With Westfield working his way through the batsmen, with five for 48, it fell to the experienced Josh Arksey to drop anchor at number 11 for an unbeaten 34.

His 65-run last-wicket partnership with Ed Fletcher pushed Burwell to 250 all out once Fletcher departed to the spin of young Harry Nightingale.

Burwell felt they had a match-winning score while Frinton were disappointed not to keep them under the 200-mark.

Frinton's reply started shakily, with Mike Griggs missing a low straight ball from Alistair Allchin to depart for five.

Murray Commins looked settled on 25 until offering an easy chance to the field to depart just before tea.

Stand-in number three batsman Tom Benn held firm and was well supported by skipper Kyran Young, with a 62-run fourth-wicket partnership which got the hosts back into the game.

When Benn departed on 45, having been caught off the bowling of Arksey, the stage was set for Zimbabwean Brent to decide the outcome.

Not having had the best of form with the bat this season, Brent looked in good order as he and Young built the match-winning partnership of 93 for the next wicket.

When Young was caught on the boundary rope for 70, it fell to the lower order to stand firm with Brent, who finished unbeaten on 72 with a huge six to win the game for Frinton, with two overs to spare.

The Ashlyns Road faithful had witnessed one of the best games in recent memory.

Frinton head to Great Witchingham on Saturday.

Meanwhile, at Worlington, Lewis Catlow’s Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division one side bowled out the hosts for 165 with six wickets for Catlow himself.

Frinton chased this down with three wickets in hand, with an unbeaten 55 for Alex Price.

Frinton’s third XI also recorded a good win by beating Elvedon by seven wickets.

Frinton's second team host title hopefuls Wivenhoe on Saturday, starting at 1pm.