A LARGE crowd was treated to a high-scoring match, as 542 runs went on the scoreboard when Frinton hosted Bury St Edmunds on Saturday.

The wicket looked perfect on a baking hot day and Frinton skipper Kyran Young showed his intent as he chose to bat after winning the toss.

Michael Griggs showed aggression from the start but when opening partner Murray Commins departed to a first-ball LBW and was followed by Russell Stockdale for eight, both off the bowling of Bury skipper Mike Comber, it looked as if Frinton could have been heading for trouble.

However, Mervyn Westfield arrived to steady the ship.

Griggs then departed for a run-a-ball 32 and Young entered the fray somewhat earlier than anticipated.

Westfield and Young then delivered a batting masterclass as they put on a 197-run fourth-wicket partnership which completely deflated the Bury attack.

Young eventually departed on 57 but the damage had been done.

Westfield hit 13 fours and eight sixes in an unbeaten 160 and, with runs at the end for David Brent (15) and Tom Benn (10 not out), the home team declared on 300 for five, giving Bury 61 overs.

Young had correctly gambled that the Bury top order would take up his challenge as Comber opted to open the batting himself, with Essex player Dom Manthorpe.

Westfield put his tiredness behind him with an aggressive spell of bowling at first change to remove Manthorpe for 11, caught at slip, and Comber was caught behind for 35.

Frinton's tails were up but Cambridgeshire’s South African-born Sean Park showed his class as he dropped anchor for Bury with a hard-earned half-century.

He was joined at the crease by Trinidadian overseas player Daron Cruickshank in an 83-run third-wicket partnership.

After Park departed to the spin of Russ Stockdale, young St Josephs’ College wicketkeeper Alfie Marston arrived to offer support to Cruickshank with a thoughtful 32.

Cruickshank eventually fell for 63, well-caught by Dan Carter off Stockdale's bowling, and Bury closed up shop to bat out for a draw.

With Stockdale taking four wickets for 61 and Young chipping in with a brace, the home team had the visitors eight-down but couldn’t remove the experienced Mark Nunn, who held his bat for 22.

Nunn was ably supported by veteran David Coyle, who scored just one run off 24 balls to frustrate the home team.

With Frinton gaining 17 points to Bury’s nine, it felt close to a victory for Frinton.

Elsewhere, Frinton’s second team were well beaten at Braintree, having asked the hosts to bat and then watched them accumulate a massive 287 for seven to which Frinton could only muster 155.

Frinton’s third team thrashed Coggeshall’s third team by nine wickets after bowling out their hosts for 92.

The Sunday division C team made up for the Saturday second XI performance by beating a strong Braintree team at home as they chased down 229 with 84 for Ian Vine and 59 for Pat Patel.

Frinton’s second team host Coggeshall at home on Saturday in a division one match commencing at 1pm.

This is the traditional curtain-raiser to Frinton’s annual cricket week, which starts on Sunday when Frinton host Essex Academy in a match commencing at 12pm.