REIGNING champions Elmstead made a losing start to their title defence when the new Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship season got underway on Saturday.

Last year's top dogs went down by 38 runs at Frinton, having been bowled out for 134 when chasing the hosts' 172.

Although Ryan Vickery scored a half-century for Elmstead, there was no doubting the star performer on the day - Frinton's Tony Stubbs, who bowled ten overs and plundered five wickets for 18 runs.

Elsewhere, Witham enjoyed a 93-run success at home to Mistley.

James Suett (95) and Forster Mutizwa (55) led the way as they batted first and made 229 for seven, before bowling the Swans out for 136.

Matt McKendry, Carl Bragg and Leroy Facey all took three wickets.

Maldon also made a winning start, prevailing by 38 runs at Worlington.

Ian Elliott's 82 was pivotal in their score of 189, before Chris Harris took three wickets as the Suffolk side were all out for 151.

There were opening-day defeats for Wivenhoe, Coggeshall and Halstead.

Wivenhoe's setback was by the slender, agonising margin of just one run.

Joseph Nicholls and Matthew Durrell both took three wickets as opponents Hadleigh made 166.

Wivenhoe then finished just short on 165 for nine, having had their progress slowed by Thomas Piddington (four for 11).

Coggeshall lost by 33 runs at Woolpit - despite George Hanham making 61 - while Halstead's defeat was by the margin of five wickets, at home to Ipswich.

Charlie Douglas-Hughes was unfortunate to finish on the losing side, making an unbeaten 85.

Copford got their second division campaign off to an amazing start, winning by just three runs in a high-scoring thriller at home to Copdock and Old Ipswichian seconds.

James Bell smashed an incredible, unbeaten 182, supplemented by Calum Reid's half-century, as they batted first and made 314 for six.

Copdock then finished on 311 for four.

Braintree were also victorious, with Warren Celiz managing a half-century in their six-wicket success at home to Ipswich and East Suffolk.

Clacton made a disappointing start, losing at home to East Bergholt.

David Fitzpatrick made 47 as they finished on 133 for nine, but their visitors got home with seven wickets to spare - despite three wickets for new skipper Imran Sheikh.

Kelvedon and Feering won by seven wickets at Sudbury seconds, thanks to Richard Wilson (four for 52) and Tom Potter (54 not out), but Little Bardfield Village went down by four wickets at home to Mildenhall seconds.