MISTLEY travelled to Woodham Mortimer for the first round of the National Village Cup.

They won the toss and invited the home side to bat first.

The first wicket fell when the score was just 14, with Tim Scott bowling A Smith before he had scored a run.

James Scott struck next, getting the other opener, Brazier, caught by captain Goff when the score was 31.

The third wicket fell on 59 when Robin Mills bowled Tripathi.

The next partnership proved harder to break, taking the score to 179, with Dan Smith striking the ball well for the home team, reaching 94 before he was caught on the boundary by James Scott off the bowling of Tim Scott. Pateman had scored 57 when he was caught by Scott (J) running round the boundary during the over bowled by Danny Goff.

With Goff carrying an injury, Mistley were a bowler short and the home side managed to take the score to 236 for six from 40 overs.

Excellent support in the field from the younger and more senior members of the team helped keep the total from being considerably more.

Mistley had scored just six when Butcher edged to first slip which brought James Scott in to join captain Goff.

They both struck the ball well on a true but slightly slow wicket and reached the boundary regularly, taking advantage of the fast outfield which sloped down from the wicket in most directions.

When Goff was caught off the bowling of R Marshall, the partnership had added 107 with Goff scoring 58 from 49 balls, including nine fours and one six.

At the 20-over halfway point, Mistley were at 118 runs - exactly on the required run rate.

Soon after the drinks break, Callum O’Connell was out LBW to a ball that kept low.

James Scott had reached 60 runs at this point as Stuart Dove joined him at the wicket.

They both struck well-timed shots to the boundary as well as taking other runs when they were available and James Scott reached a well deserved 100, having hit 18 fours and faced 91 deliveries. Dove accelerated after reaching his 50 and hit the last seven balls he received for 21 runs, finishing on 71 from just 45 deliveries as Mistley reached the target with four overs to spare.

The partnership between Scott and Dove contributed 112 runs in 79 balls. Following this victory, Mistley have a home draw in the next round to be played on May 14 (1pm).

n On Sunday, Mistley host Ipswich in the NECL T20 competition (2pm) and they travel to Great Bromley in the Two Counties Sunday League.