Essex came within a whisker of being promoted to the top flight of the men's County Week competition in Norfolk.
The county lost out on elevation from Group Two at Cromer by one set after the Essex men finished level with Berkshire on three wins each.
And the county's ladies also had a successful week in Group One at Eastbourne, where they eventually finished third.
"As we set off for County Week on Sunday, there was a feeling of concern within the team as to whether we would be strong enough to avoid relegation from Group Two," said non-playing men's captain Jamie Willson.
"In fact, we only lost out on promotion by one set and am delighted to have done even better than our goal this year.
"I believe that the team spirit and the gutsy play of our younger players is excellent and that, hopefully, we can look forward to greater success next year."
Ladies' captain Pat Wire was similarly pleased with her players' performance in East Sussex.
"We finished third but it was very close and we could have been first of second," she said.
"Our players played well and it was a good all-round team effort."
Published Thursday, July 31, 2003
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