MISTLEY Cricket Club stalwart Graeme Butcher wants his side to get back to winning ways after the "bitter disappointment" of their tied match at Elmstead.

Both sides finished on 201 runs in the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship thriller.

The Swans went agonisingly close to snatching victory, only to find themselves all out with just one ball left.

Opener Butcher had earlier made 78 and admitted it was a major blow to miss out on a much-needed victory - a success that would have given the side added confidence going into tomorrow's crunch match at home to high-flying Wivenhoe.

"Last week's game was bitterly disappointing," said the long-serving 29-year-old.

"I'm sure it would have been a great spectacle for the neutral but from our perspective it's very much a case of looking back at what could and should have been.

"We were in control for large parts of both innings so for us not to come away with a victory was extremely frustrating.

"However, as always, there were positives to take and hopefully, if we get into a similar position again, we'll be able to cross the line.

"Our start to the season has been one of false dawns almost. A really good performance followed by a mediocre one.

"I think I speak for the whole side when I say that on our day we're a match for anyone but we need to find a way to be more consistent.

"The league looks fairly open this year so we'll be looking to finish as high as possible. A top-four position would probably be a good result."

Butcher, who progressed through the club's junior ranks and has now been a first-team regular for more than a decade, admitted last week's result tarnished the feeling of top-scoring with 78.

However, he was still pleased to make a sizeable score and hopes it kick-starts his season.

"In terms of my own contribution, it was great to get my highest score of the season but it was tarnished by the fact it didn't help us win the game," he said.

"I felt really good at the crease and was thoroughly enjoying it, so was annoyed with myself that I didn't go on to make a bigger score and be there at the end to win the game.

"As for my season so far, it's been a little mixed.

"I started well with a half-century but a few low scores followed.

"I've felt like I've been hitting the ball well for the majority but was finding the fielders and finding ways to get out.

"This week I managed to build on a reasonable innings at Witham and get a few out of the middle early which helped.

"Hopefully this will now kick start my season and I can contribute some telling innings that leads to us winning more games."