Frinton lose at Cambridge Granta despite a good knock from Michael Comber
Michael Comber, who made 75 not out for Frinton in their six-wicket defeat at Cambridge Granta on Sunday. Picture: APRIL URQUHART - Credit: Archant
Frinton were undone by a superb century from opener Ben Claydon as the Essex club slumped to a six-wicket defeat at fellow title hopefuls Cambridge Granta, in a Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League contest played at Clare College on Sunday.
Captain Kyran Young won the toss and opted to bat, and Frinton recovered from losing Michael Griggs to the first ball of the match to reach a total of 249 for five off their 50 overs.
However, Cambridge Granta, who finished second to champions Swardeston last season, made it two wins out of two by pacing their reply to perfection, recording a six-wicket win with 2.1 overs in hand.
Fresh from their three-wicket success over Norwich on the opening weekend, Frinton were boosted by big contributions from their middle order heavyweights, Mervyn Westfield and Michael Comber.
Opener Joe Fowler (23) and skipper Young (a patient 28 off 65 balls) had steadied the ship before Westfield and Comber put on 62 for the fourth wicket.
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All-rounder Westfield had just passed his half-century when he was trapped lbw by Owen Simonsen, having faced 63 balls for his 52 runs.
Summer recruit Comber, who was the captain at Bury St Edmunds last season, enjoyed late support from Kemar Smith (17) and fellow new signing Ishmael Dar (27 not out) as Frinton finished on 249 for five.
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Comber was unbeaten on 75 at the close of the innings, having struck seven boundaries and one six in his 73-ball stay.
He and Dar, who was playing his cricket for Wanstead & Snaresbrook 2nd XI last season, put on an unbeaten 70 for the sixth wicket to at least give Cambridge a testing challenge.
But the home side then proceeded to add 118 for the first wicket, to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
Smith eventually made the breakthrough, bowling Douglas Rice for 51, one of his two victims. He also dismissed Max Holden (lbw for 28) with the total on 199.
But Claydon went on to complete his century, facing 137 balls for his 121, as Granta eased home, helped by 17 not out from Michael Pepper. Smith finished with figures of two for 47 off his 10 overs.
Frinton are at home to Great Witchingham this Saturday.
