Essex batsman Ian Flanagan figured prominently in his first draw of the season on Friday.

But the Colchester and East opener did not need bat, gloves and helmet for this particular contest.

Flanagan, recently returned from a tour of New Zealand with the England under 19s, pulled the winning ball from a bag to determine C and EE's main sponsor for the 1999 season.

More than 30 local businesses entered the contest by paying £50 for match sponsorship and Colchester-based chartered accountants, Holm, Lucking and Paul came out on top.

They will now receive a wide range of match and general publicity exposure, plus use of a private room, seating 25 people, in the pavilion for the second day of the county championship match against Durham at Castle Park in August.

Last year Colchester failed narrowly to win a place in both the Essex and East Anglian premier leagues which were formed following the recommendations of the McLaurin report.

This campaign they are determined to win promotion to the Essex Premier and are backing their bid with a major fund-raising campaign spear-headed by the chairman, Tim Spelling (01787 224694).

Meanwhile, on the playing front, indoor nets begin at the University of Essex on Wednesday, March 31. The sessions are from 9-10pm and run for four weeks.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.