CLACTON were denied by the weather for the second week in a row.

Their Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division two contest at home to Ipswich was disrupted by the rain, while the rest of the division completed their matches.

Clacton batted first but lost early wickets in search of a competitive score.

Skipper Scott Facey was adjudged lbw and Imran Sheikh was caught off a leading edge, leaving the hosts 30 for two.

Brad Turner and Ryan Chamberlain steadied the ship, adding 35, before Turner was out to Rob Southall’s first delivery.

Chamberlain and Lewis Kirk continued to build the score, with a combination of good running and boundary hitting.

Chamberlain eventually fell for 48, with Clacton on 149 for four.

Kirk carried on, supported by Ashan Athukoralage (13) and Mo Asghar (14), until he was out bowled by Jack Elford for a well-played 68.

The lower order scampered the total past 200, with Kieron Parkes hitting the last ball of the innings for six over long on, finishing on 218 for nine.

Ipswich's innings was delayed by rain, but play eventually restarted after tea.

The Clacton bowlers started tightly, with Athukoralage unlucky to have Southall caught off a no-ball.

Kirk eventually made the breakthrough, bowling Southall for nine.

Joseph Rusby was next to go, top-edging a pull shot back to Kirk.

Clacton were well on top when, three balls later, Louis Perrin got a leading edge to Turner at cover, leaving the home side well on top at 30 for three.

Unfortunately, only seven more balls were bowled as the rain returned and ended the day's play.

With Elmstead completing their victory over Long Melford, Clacton have slipped two points behind them in the table.

Next week the Seasiders travel to Easton, seeking revenge for the early-season defeat (1pm start).