Frinton ended their third season in the East Anglian Premier League with a heavy home defeat, at the hands of Vauxhall Mallards, by 230 runs at Ashlyns Road on Saturday.

A much-changed Frinton side, with several fringe players given a chance on the big stage, were put to the sword by Mallards, who rattled up a huge score of 320 for six off their 50 overs, before bowling out the Essex hosts for just 90.

It meant that Frinton dropped a place in the table to finish in sixth spot, the same position as last season, following a runners-up berth in their first campaign at this level in 2015.

Frinton actually won the toss and put Mallards into bat, a decision that backfired as Mitchell Todd and Ben France set the tone with an opening partnership of 134.

France was eventually bowled by Michael Comber, one of the few experienced players in the team for a swift 61 off 76 balls, but Todd found good support elsewhere from Matthew Plater (36) and later Brett Stolworthy (39 not out).

Todd’s fine century innings ended on 131, when he was caught by Merv Westfield off new-ball bowler Ed Ball. The wicketkeeper hit three sixes and 14 fours in his 104-ball stay at the crease.

In reply, only former Essex all-rounder Westfield advanced past 20 – he struck three sixes in his 15-ball cameo of 25. Otherwise, the hosts were outgunned, losing their last eight wickets for just 45 runs to be bowled out after just 21.1 overs.