Graham Napier hit the winning runs on his home ground as Essex kept their promotion dreams alive in Norwich Union League Division Two.

The Colchester-born batsman was joined at the crease by Andy Flower as Essex Eagles beat Northamptonshire Steelbacks by four wickets.

Earlier it was John Stephenson who made the impact for Essex with the ball as he took three Northamptonshire wickets for 21 runs.

Having been set a total of 168 for victory by Northamptonshire, Essex started their innings with an edgy first few overs between Richard Clinton and William Jefferson at Colchester's Castle Park.

But on 0 Jefferson was dropped at first slip by David Sales.

The near miss seemed to galvanize Jefferson who sent the next delivery to the boundary.

There followed a swashbuckling 37 from the 22-year-old before he was eventually undone by the bowling of Mathew Innes.

Innes also took the wicket of Clinton for 11.

Tony Penberthy accounted for three wickets as well for just 31 making him the pick of the visiting bowlers.

But with Andy Flower playing a careful innings Essex edged closer to their total.

The wickets of Mark Pettini (6) and Paul Grayson fell along the way (18) but with Northamptonshire unable to dislodge Flower (57 not out) Essex managed to make their total without too much difficultly.

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Published Monday August 26, 2002