Clinton's Turn For A 100

That left Cambridge 34-4 but then just 3 runs later Cowan got his deserved wicket by having Heath caught by Clinton, the Fenner's hosts were in dissarray at 37-5.

But Cambridge keeper Parker hit 55 and stayed around with the tail for 3 nagging partnerships that took the University side to 139 before they were bowled out, conceeding a lead of 231.

Jon Dakin (1-5), James Middlebrook (1-33) and Joseph Grant (1-35) all picked up a wicket and Andrew McGarry (2-23) took his 2nd with a run out finishing off the job.

Essex opted for batting practice rather than the follow-on and the order was changed a bit to give people the opportunity to have time at the crease and so Andy Flower moved up to open with Darren Robinson.

However, this didn't come off, as Flower made just 1 before Savill got him again and Essex were 7-1. Not the best of debuts for Andy, but this is only his first match.

But Flower's loss of time at the crease was Richard Clinton's gain, as he smashed his way to a superb century and in the process added 213 runs for the 2nd wicket with Robinson.

Clinton, who was promoted up the order, made 107 from just 120 balls before he was next out, run out. He cracked 3 sixes as well as 6 fours in his knock and when out, Essex were 220-2, a lead of 451.

James Middlebrook was the next to be given time in the middle, but he also didn't make the most of this, as Noble bowled him for a 4 ball duck.

Next to be promoted was Jon Dakin and he had just 3 balls to contend with before the day's play came to and end. Dakin will resume on 1 not out, while Darren Robinson will be just 3 away from another deserved hundred. His 97 not out so far has contained 152 balls and 10 boundaries.

Essex, then, are 453 runs ahead and the 2nd inns score of 222-3 has been reached in just 47 overs.