BRENDAN Louw smashed an unbeaten century as Wivenhoe continued their winning ways in the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship.

The Rectory Road side made it three straight victories after defeating struggling Mistley by 42 runs.

Louw hit 115 not out as the hosts batted first and made 246 for six, with Jimmy Goff returning three for 42 for the Swans.

Second-from-bottom Mistley were then restricted to 204 for eight, despite Sizwe Masondo hitting 51 and Gareth Stevens 44.

James Butcher kept the visitors in check with figures of four for 34.

Halstead, another side in form, won again as they prevailed by two wickets at home to Maldon.

Responding to 242 for five, they managed 246 for eight to pocket 17 points.

Maldon pair Max Bryant (81) and Chris Harris (59) had given their side a solid platform but two Halstead players also managed half-centuries - Josh King (51 not out) and Mark Johnson (51).

Coggeshall, in fourth, slipped up against third-from-bottom Frinton, losing by four wickets at a sun-drenched Ashlyns Road.

Robert Jagger (43) and Edward King (51) batted well for the visitors but they were kept in check by Jermaine Shillingford, who took three wickets, before James Baker plundered an unbeaten 70.

Witham's worries continued as they lost by 35 runs at home to Ipswich.

It was their fourth straight loss and came despite a battling performance from Greg Stephens, who returned four for 30.

However, chasing 185, Witham were all out for 149.

It was top against bottom when leaders Worlington played host to struggling reigning champions Elmstead.

The outcome was true to form as the Suffolk side won by 92 runs, having batted first and scored a mammoth 358 for eight.

Elmstead were then dismissed for 266, despite valiant displays from Peter Webster (three wickets) and Michael Cursons (117).

It was their third defeat in a row.

Braintree picked up 20 points to keep up the pressure on second division leaders Haverhill.

However, the points were achieved without having to lift a finger as scheduled opponents Copdock and Old Ipswichian conceded.

Third-placed Lakenheath proved too strong for Clacton, winning by 60 runs.

The Seasiders had won their previous three games and Harlan Greig showed his class by returning five for 66.

Ryan Chamberlain also scored 44 but it was not enough for Imran Sheikh's side.

Copford had a great five-wicket success at home to Kelvedon and Feering.

Players starred with both bat and ball, including Stephen Moriarty (four for 50), Andy Bell (four for 47), Tomas Helmer (58), Ian Catley (49) and Calum Reid (41).

Alfie Long (55) scored a half-century for Kelvedon.

Little Bardfield Vilage defeated Ipswich and East Suffolk by eight wickets while East Bergholt prevailed by 84 runs at home to Mildenhall seconds.