FRINTON swept past an understrength Mistley to set up a two-way battle with Coggeshall for the league title with only three games remaining.

Winning the toss skipper Mark Jones had his eye on maximum points and asked visitors Mistley to bat.

Opener Mike Griggs got Mistley off to a good start but was deprived of batting partners with Frinton’s Michael Armstrong, Dan Carter and Ted Moulton all taking wickets at the other end.

Danny Goff offered some support but was caught for 33 by Matt Foakes and was quickly followed into the pavilion by Griggs, who hit a well worked 70.

Simon Barlow held his bat for 26 but with Moulton and Lewis Catlow working through the tail Mistley finished on 188 for eight, which both sides felt to be 50 runs short of a good score.

Frinton opened briskly but when Craig Perrin was dismissed for 22 and Ted Moulton for 14 it brought Surrey-bound Ben Foakes to the crease who offered no chances with an unbeaten 77.

Frinton’s Barbadian Justin Greaves looked an ideal partner until judged LBW for 39. Matt Foakes then joined his brother to finish the game with seven wickets in hand and seven overs to spare.

With Mistley skipper Kyran Young unable to bowl through injury there had been little fire in the Mistley attack.

After the match Jones urged his players forward for the final push.

He said: “There’s three games to play and we have got to keep this momentum going. Mervyn Westfield is back next week so we should be at full strength for the rest of the season.”

With a trip to basement team Lakenheath next weekend Frinton will have one eye on the weather and the other on Coggeshall’s results who they currently lead by three points at the top of the league table.