ESSEX drew their match with Cambridge University of Cricketing Excellence at Fenners after rain again disrupted play on the third and final day.

A lunchtime declaration by the students allowed their county opposition further batting practice ahead of their opening County Championship fixture with Northants that commences on Wednesday at Chelmsford.

Varun Chopra and Jason Gallian took the opportunity of a decent "net" in the middle, posting 105 for the first wicket with both recording half-centuries.

Chopra struck 52, including a straight-driven six off spinner Tom Hemingway, plus six other boundaries, while Gallian warmed up for the championship opener with 79 from just 59 deliveries that included two sixes amongst his 12 boundaries.

The pair had been given the opportunity of a second innings in the match after a sporting declaration by the university at lunchtime, when the home side were still trailing by 216 runs on first innings, but having only lost four wickets.

Resuming on 76-2 at the start of the day, the students lost a wicket to the second ball of the morning when Ryan ten Doeschate produced a superb delivery to account for Richard Timms.

The opening bat, who was still on his overnight 31, pushed forward at a ball that left him late to allow Adam Wheater to complete a fine diving catch in front of first slip.

Hopes that Essex might run through the innings proved ill-founded as Nick Lee and Kunal Jogia composed a fourth wicket partnership worth 110 runs in 33 overs.

Jogia played enterprisingly to reach his half-century with eight boundaries from 71 deliveries he faced.

It was left-arm spinner Tim Phillips who finally concluded his innings on 58 when the batsman reached forward, but only succeeded in steering the ball into the hands of Gallian at first slip.

The catcher thus atoned for an earlier misdemeanour when he spilled Lee on 27 off the same bowler, but the batsman prospered to reach 48 not out before the lunchtime declaration came with the total 190-4 wickets.

Heavy rain prevented a prompt resumption before Chopra and Gallian took advantage of the friendly batting conditions to boost their personal averages.

Both played with a carefree spirit before losing their wickets as they continued to force the pace, having benefited from the worthwhile work-out.

The run-fest slowed as Tom Westley and Phillips took their side through to the close with more studious application although left-hander Phillips was badly spilled at mid-on just two deliveries before stumps were drawn with Essex 152-2 wickets.