Frinton remain well-placed in joint third spot, in the Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League, but they had to dig deep to rescue a draw from Saturday’s topsy-turvy match away at Norwich, despite a seven-wicket haul from Mervyn Westfield.

A splendid century from opener Jack Newby was the backbone of Norwich’s 247 all out, but Frinton’s reply stuttered and stalled before they eventually managed to nurse their way along to 199 for nine at the close, off 58 overs.

The last pair of John Hambrook and Patrick Barker, who came together with the score on 187 for nine, saw out the final few overs to thwart Norwich.

The experienced Hambrook frustrated the opposition by using up 49 balls for his four not out, while No. 11 Barker struck two boundaries in his eight not out.

Earlier, Newby had bossed proceedings with a knock of 109 at the top of the innings, after Frinton captain Kyran Young had won the toss and elected to field.

Newby hit 18 boundaries in his 141-ball stay, putting on 103 for the fourth wicket with skipper Ashley Watson (51).

Westfield was the stand-out performer for the Essex visitors, Having taken the important early wickets of Oliver Higenbottam (5) and Aaron Watson (10), he returned to post terrific figures of 14.4-3-37-7.

Former Essex county all-rounder Westfield took the last five wickets to fall, as Norwich slumped from 212 for four to be all out for 247.

Frinton’s reply got off to a poor start, opener Michael Griggs (0) trapped LBW by Aaron Watson to the fourth ball of the innings.

Fellow opener Tom Sinclair (20) and skipper Young (11) soon followed, dismissed by John Iniff, and James Mirner claimed the all-important wicket of Westfield (35) to leave Frinton on 92 for five.

A stand of 48 for the sixth wicket, between Michael Comber (43) and Miguel Machado (62) gave Frinton hope of making a dash for their target, but Comber’s departure ended any realistic hopes of recording a victory.

Comber had hit a six and seven fours before he was LBW to Chris Borrett, while fellow Machado was the eighth wicket to fall on 187, bowled by Ashley Watson, who then removed Dan Carter (0) with his very next ball. It was left to Hambrook and Barker to see Frinton to a welcome draw.