MISTLEY are the new champions of the North Essex Cricket League.

The Swans claimed the top-flight silverware for the first time since 2010 after rivals Colchester slipped up in the final weekend of action, however, they didn’t have to bowl a ball to collect the title.

Mistley had been due to face Wivenhoe at Rectory Road, but the hosts conceded the fixture to hand the points to the Swans and leave Colchester knowing they would have to win to reclaim the top spot.

Colchester were due to travel to Wivenhoe the following day and the hosts were able to play the fixture this time, but it wasn’t the ending that the visitors were looking for.

Wivenhoe scored 184 for five before bowling Colchester out for 179, five runs short of the total they needed to claim the division one crown.

That defeat meant Mistley stayed at the summit and there was further disappointment for Colchester as they not only surrendered the top spot, but also dropped out of second place to end the season third in division one.

It was Frinton who jumped above them into the top two behind Mistley as they took the points from their final game after Halstead conceded a fixture for the third time this season.