Ollie Rooney’s fine 91 was in vain as Dunmow threw away a likely victory in a hard fought contest at Ipswich in a game that ebbed and flowed.

Winning the toss and bowling looked an inspired decision as Matt Gibson had Southall LBW from the second ball, quickly followed by Steve Hamlin having Scott and then Johnson, LBW and caught behind respectively, to leave Ipswich at 15-3.

The Dunmow bowlers maintained their discipline so, despite the rebuilding that Rusby and Bell started, at drinks Ipswich were 57-3.

The partnership flourished however and took Ipswich to 133 when Bell was bowled by Baz Sewell for a well made 71.

Crucially, the wickets in hand Ipswich had retained allowed them to go on the attack in the final overs, Rusby carrying his bat for 91 not out, assisted by a rapid 31 from Polley, to allow Ipswich to close on 201-6. Hamlin finished with 2-52, Sewell 2-66 and Gibson 1-31.

Dunmow’s reply was similar, although wickets fell at the end of the innings, rather then the beginning.

After Joe Gallant fell cheaply, Luke Swanston and Rooney built a solid platform, taking the score from 20-1 to 96-2 when Swanston chipped one to mid-off.

Rooney continued to play solidly with the occasion spectacular shot, while Josh Down added impetus with calculated risks and quick singles.

With eight overs to go, Dunmow needed 41 for victory, with Rooney and Down seemingly well set.

However, one risk too many saw Down run out and from that point the rest of the chase fell away, wickets falling as the run rate rose.

When Rooney was dismissed for 91, hopes were dashed and Dunmow limped to 190-9 and had to reflect on what might and perhaps should have been.