Suffolk’s Minor Counties Championship match at rivals Norfolk ended in a tame draw, at Manor Park today, after Hugo Douglas and Tom Rash had been involved in a stubborn last wicket partnership.

Suffolk, who are unbeaten in the competition after four matches (one win and three draws), rather stalled in their second innings, eventually recovering from 133 for six, and then 211 for nine, to reach 243 all out. That left Norfolk an unlikely target of 255, off a minimum of 29 overs.

The hosts finished on five without loss, after five overs, with both sides agreeing to settle for a draw.

Suffolk were 123 for four at lunch, having resumed on their overnight score of 12 without loss, which was a lead of 23 due to their slender 11-run advantage on first innings.

A key moment was when former Essex opener, Jaik Mickleburgh, was dismissed by the final delivery of the morning session.

Mickleburgh had made 64, off 108 deliveries, with seven boundaries, and his departure was a big blow to the visitors’ hopes of making rapid progress during the second session.

Earlier, fellow opener Martyn Cull, who had top-scored with a fine 96 in the first innings, went early in the day for just seven, caught in the slips by Sam Arthurton off Robert Taylor, with the score on 35 for one.

Young Alex Oxley, who had scored a half-century (53) in the first innings, was trapped leg before by the experienced Ben France for a duck, and Mildenhall captain Ben Shepperson was another lbw victim, having made a swift 32 off 49 balls, including a six and four boundaries.

Brown also removed Michael Comber leg before, at the start of the afternoon session, to leave the visitors on 123 for five, and Darren Ironside become Brown’s third victim with just 10 runs having been added to the total.

At least Kyran Young (49) and captain Adam Mansfield (22) rescued the situation, putting on 45 for the seventh wicket to guide Suffolk towards safety.

Frinton skipper Young, who had taken four for 62 in Norfolk’s first innings, was the ninth wicket to fall, after having spent more two hours at the crease and faced 132 balls in a very responsible knock.

But Suffolk were still not in the clear until Douglas (16 not out, off 76 balls) and Tom Rash (20) delayed the end of the innings with a 34-run stand for the final wicket.

That ensured Norfolk would not have enough time to chase an unlikely victory.