A draw was the predictable outcome at the end of the final day's play between Essex and Gloucestershire at Chelmsford's County Ground. The rain which had washed out the whole of day three of this Frizzell County Championship Division Two clash had made any result unlikely, but the sides were at least able to take to the field today. Resuming on 305-4, Essex were able to match Gloucestershire's first innings total of 379, with the last man dismissed with the two sides' scores exactly level. Essex opener Darren Robinson, who had been 129 not out at the start of play, added just two runs before falling victim to Harvey, but useful contributions from the home side's lower order ensured parity was reached. In their second innings Gloucestershire soon cruised to 195-4 declared, with Grant and Dakin each taking two wickets, but with a day lost to rain and good batting from both teams, a win for either side was never on the cards. Each side took 11 points from the encounter

Scores:

Gloucs 379 all out
Essex 379 all out (Robinson 131, A.Flower 91)
Gloucs 195/4

MATCH DRAWN - Essex 11 pts Gloucs 11 pts