MISTLEY'S strong form continued as they won by six wickets at home to relegated Braintree, in the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship on Saturday.

The comfortable victory should be enough to secure their place in division one next season.

Bruce Leeke had the best bowling figures, taking three for 20, while Phil Palmer again bowled economically, taking two for 32.

Timothy Scott took the first wicket of the innings, knocking the middle stump out of the ground, and conceded just 23 runs.

These three bowlers all bowled ten overs as Braintree, batting first, made 210 for seven.

Four batsmen shared most of the runs for Mistley.

Danny Goff made 57, James Stamatis 56 not out, James Scott 40 and Adrian Stockton 38 not out, as they finished on 213 for four and pocketed 18 points.

Mistley's second team were involved in an abandoned match at Wivenhoe twos, in division three of the Two Counties Championship.

Having made 218 for four, the hosts were 30 for no loss when the heavens opened and forced an early finish at Rectory Road.

Meanwhile, the Swans were in North Essex League action against Great Horkesley and Lexden at New Road, on Sunday.

They enjoyed an eight-wicket victory after the visitors batted first and made 180, with opener Anthony Shearman contributing 52.

Mistley reached their target for the loss of two wickets, with Stamatis top-scoring with 75 and finishing not out for the second time in the weekend.

George Hutton took four for 58.

Although not getting a wicket, Charlie Hawthorn bowled six overs for just seven runs.

Mistley's first team conclude their season with a trip to Halstead tomorrow, while the division three side host Halstead seconds.

The North Essex League team host division one leaders Wivenhoe on Sunday.