Frinton captain, Kyran Young, was “not too deflated” following his side’s second defeat of the season, at home to unbeaten Great Witchingham on Saturday.

Young felt that the toss was all-important, in a seven-wicket loss to the Norfolk visitors.

Frinton were bowled out for 162, in 48.3 overs, despite the experienced Michael Comber and young Dominic Stockdale building a partnership of 80 for the seventh wicket, after the Essex hosts had stumbled to 64 for six in difficult batting conditions.

Stockdale made 38, while former Bury St Edmunds captain Comber top-scored with 72, off 91 balls, before he was the eighth wicket to fall with the score on 157.

Although Comber had opener James Spelman (9) caught by Stockdale to make an early breakthrough on 35, the pair of Sam Arthuton (62) and James Hale (33) took the total along to 103 without further loss.

A superb spell of bowling from Dan Carter (7-0-33-3), who bowled Arthurton to start the comeback, and the return of Merv Westfield (7-1-42-3) to the attack made serious inroads into the opposition batting.

But from a vulnerable position of 125 for seven, an unbeaten stand of 38 between Jonathan Spelman (16) and Andrew Hanby (10) saw Gt Witchingham home.

“I’m not too deflated, because the signs are still encouraging,” enthused Frinton skipper Young.

“We have put ourselves in a position to win in our last two games, and I think this last match has all came down to the toss of a coin.

“The toss was all-important. If I had won it, then I think we would have won the match comfortably.

“As it was, we were up against it, having the worst of it at both ends of the day. There had been a bit of rain during the week, and there was rain in the air, which meant the pitch was soft. It was also windy, so batting was difficult in the morning.

“Michael (Comber) batted superbly again for us, and Dom (Stockdale) was unlucky not to get a half-century. It was a mature innings for a young lad, coming in when the pressure was on.

“I honestly thought that we had them, when the wickets started to fall. Dan (Carter) bowled really well, and we had held Merv back. We nearly got through them.

“Now we will look to bounce back with a win at Bury this weekend,” added Young.