Going into the final day, the visitors lead was just 63 with 4 wickets down and Essex knew a couple of early wickets in a crucial first hour would set them nicely for a win.

The weather was set fair, but the first hour was negoiated without loss and with Joyce intent on batting the day out, lunch was taken without real harm, at 361-4 and a lead of 173.

After the break, with Razzaq having already reach his fifty, Joyce completed his half-century and they took their 5th wicket partnership to 151, until Midders weaved his magic, with Razzaq chipping straight to Habib at short leg for 81 and Middx were 384-5 and a lead of 196.

That wicket, although late, gave us a glimmer and when next over Scott Brant had Weekes playing back and lbw for 0, the score had moved up just 1 run to 385-6 and with the score effectively 197-6 and still 40 odd overs left in the day, it was game on and these two wickets had seemed to chance the game around.

However, then three annoying partnerships not only took up valuable time, but contributed vital runs.

Hutton hit a quick 23 in a partnership of 37, but these wickets fell in 'twos' again, as he advanced down the track and only scooped a simple chance to Flower at cover.

Two balls later, Simon Cook was plum lbw for 0 and at 422-8 and more importantly a lead of 234 and if we could have polished of the last two wickets, you would have fancied us to have scored that inside the probable 30 overs that was left against a poor visiting attack.

But the second of these annoying stands was next. Only 5 runs were added, but Keegan hung around for 23 balls and 36 minutes to frustrate Essex.

Middelbrook's change to the Hayes Close End saw him get Keegan with his frist ball at that end, as he lobbed a catch to Larry at leg slip in attempting a paddle sweep.

At this point, we were thinking of a thrilling run chase and when number 11 Dawes offered a simple edge to Jeffers at slip two balls later, we were preparing ourselfs.

However, the classy batsman dropped unbelievably his third chance of the innings and Dawes went onto slog an unbeaten 32 in 38 balls and add 68 for the last wicket. This put an end to a result in this match and it proved a costly one.

With the match now safe, Joyce now played a few shots himself and he went to his brilliant hundred with a trademark pull for four.

After tea, Andrew McGarry went off the field after bowling 3 balls into his 17th over and this signalled the chance for Flower and Robbo to turn their arm over.

And it was Darren Robinson who finished off the innings, by bowling Ed Joyce for 117. His leg-spinner was missed as the Irishman attempted a slog-sweep and Robbo celebrated in his own style of his first first-class wicket.

Middlesex were all out for 495 after a marathon 172.5 overs and have Joyce to thank for saving them. His fantastic knock lasted 320 balls and was just shy of 6 hours and saved the match.

Credit to all the bowlers for sticking at it on a flat deck and James Middlebrook with 57 overs reward of 5-172 was brilliant. His qualities on last day's of matches later on in the season will certainly help us.

With the 17 overs remaning, Essex were set 308 and after 9 had been bowled and 41 on the board without loss, no result was possible and so a draw was declared. Robbo and Jeffers were unbeaten on 23 and 18 respectively. Had we had more time, we would have gone onto to win, with the pitch a beauty.

So, a disapointing end to the match from an Essex point of view, but all credit to Joyce for his battling qualities which saved Middlesex. Perhaps you could look at the weaknesses in our bowling, perhaps you could point to the loss of overs on day 2 and why did we take the bad light, but the pitch was so flat it was unbelievable and again, got better and easier as the match went on. Had Dawes been caught second ball, you've have backed out boys to have knocked off 240 inside 30 overs, especially with the pitch turning and them lacking a decent spin option. However, it was not to be. Plus points, dominating 3 days of this match and taking maximum 12 draw points and excellent to see Midders show his class as a spinner. Although not a win, good start to the season and plenty to build on.

James Middlebrook - Tried his best with outstanding figures and his first 5-wicket haul for us. First of plenty on this evidence.

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Date: 21/4/03

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