MISTLEY were unable to halt Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship title contenders Wivenhoe, as their north Essex rivals romped to a 177-run victory at New Road.

It was Wivenhoe's sixth win in nine division one matches and kept the heat on leaders Elmstead, who won by 74 runs at Witham.

Wivenhoe batted first and amassed 270 for eight - helped enormously by an astonishing innings of 169 from Liam Hope-Shackley, including 16 fours and eight sixes - before skittling the shell-shocked Swans for just 93.

Only three Mistley players made double-figures as Matthew Durrell claimed five scalps, at the expense of just 11 runs in his seven overs, and there were two wickets apiece for James Butcher and skipper Harry Burnett.

Wivenhoe eased to a 20-point haul, as did leaders Elmstead, who made 290 for eight before dismissing hosts Witham for 216.

Like Wivenhoe, the table-toppers were indebted to a masterful individual batting display as Ryan Vickery bludgeoned 129.

Skipper Aidan O'Brien also made a heavy contribution, hitting 76.

Witham's Matt McKendry offered some resistance with the ball, taking three wickets, but his side fell short with the bat - despite Michael Godwin and Richard Green both making 57 and Michael Glynn 44.

Vickery followed up his sterling batting display by taking three wickets for 28 runs in his 4.5 overs.

Elsewhere, there were victories for Frinton seconds, Halstead and Maldon.