IT was derby day at Braintree as neighbours Witham paid a visit to St Peter's Road.

And it was the visitors who had cause for celebration after continuing their strong start to the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship season, winning by 131 runs.

Witham batted first and made 270 for nine, largely thanks to an inspired knock of 83 from Kaan Hawes.

Rory Ainsley then top-scored with 46 but Braintree were all out for 139, following three wickets apiece from skipper Jake Wakelin and Carl Bragg.

Wivenhoe also continued their strong start with a seven-wicket success at Copford.

Jonty Rushton took four for 25 as the hosts were skittled for 134.

Ryan Vickery then hit 59 not out to see his team home and secure a fourth win for the Rectory Road side.

Two more Essex sides met at Hare Field, as Coggeshall played host to Frinton.

Coggeshall reached 248 for eight off their 50 overs, thanks to Jimmy Rees (79) and Matt Cross (60).

Australian Joe McDevitt took four for 30 in his ten overs for Frinton.

However, missed catches proved costly for the coastal team.

Coggeshall pair Liam O'Connor and Will Blackwell took three wickets apiece as Frinton finished on 213.

Mistley kick-started their campaign with a big 146-run victory at home to Hadleigh.

Skipper Danny Goff led by example with a fantastic 137, supported by Adrian Stockton (50).

Hadleigh were then all out for 108, with Ian Morton putting the brakes on their innings with four wickets for just nine runs in his 9.3 overs.

It was not such a good day for Halstead, who went down by two wickets at home to Haverhill.

That was despite great efforts from Oliver Grayson (92) and three wickets apiece for Joe Morris and Josh Wells.

Maldon continue to set the pace at the top of division two after an important win at Elmstead Grasshoppers.

Batting first, Maldon lost skipper Chris Harris early on, but Reece O'Connell (44) and Ian Elliott (43) compiled a pacy second-wicket partnership of 58.

The good work was carried on by Jimmy Ainscough (67) and Matthew Coppen (48 not out).

In reply, Matt Anderson took two early wickets to give Maldon the start they craved and O'Connell went on to take five for 55 in his 15 overs.

Elsewhere, Scott Facey starred with the bat as Clacton beat Long Melford by three wickets, fittingly hitting a boundary to seal the win after a superb captain's innings of 69 not out.