Halstead batsman David Shelton sent the Jaygate Two Counties Championship statisticians scurrying for their record books as he blasted the highest individual score ever in a Division C encounter.

Not content with scoring a double century - 201, including nine sixes - Shelton also grabbed a share of the Division C record partnership for any wicket when putting on 310 for the second wicket with Alan Elsbury, who scored 92, in a hefty 236-run win at neighbouring Braintree.

Halstead, undefeated in their four games this season behind current Division C leaders Coggeshall, went on to register a 327-2 total in their 45 overs before routing poor Braintree for a mere 89.

Believe it or not, Shelton is not the first Halstead batsman to record a double century in Two Counties cricket.

Current first team all-rounder John Clinch holds the Division One record with his 220 not out against Maldon in 1996.

Mistley opener Stuart Barton also weighed in with a career-best 168 - losing three balls along the way - in a 92-run Division A win over Sudbury where he shared a 242 second-wicket partnership with Rob Mills who scored 92.

It is all happening this season for Boxted and Kelvedon as they currently sit proudly on top of the third division.

Top dogs Boxted, skippered by Ian Evans, boast the only unbeaten record in the division after clocking up four wins out of four with a convincing 103-run win at struggling Earls Colne in the latest round of matches.

"It's our best start ever and it's very pleasing," said Evans.

"That's nine wins on the trot in Two Counties and Osborne League matches this season. Ideally we went into the season looking to finish in the top six to maintain our Division Three status, but if we carry on the way we are now a top two berth and Division Two cricket next season could be in our sights."

Evans said it was his squad's good all-round qualities that are producing the goods. Saturday's big win at Earls Colne was a perfect example.

All the batters contributed in Boxted's 193-8 total and the bowlers followed suit as Earls Colne were routed for just 90.

Kelvedon captain Mick Warner, like Evans, is also a very happy man despite watching his team suffer their first defeat in six outings this season, at Dunmow.

He said: "Apart from that game we too have enjoyed a good start and must stand a good chance of being promoted if we carry on as we are at the moment.

"Neil Brice is showing up really well with four half-centuries already having missed last season because of injury and we are bowling out our opposition as well."

Warner is hoping Kelvedon's five-wicket set-back at Dunmow will be only a minor glitch in the promotion works. His team promptly got the defeat out of their system by bouncing back with a four-wicket win over East Bergholt.

Brice hit an undefeated 73 as Kelvedon made 152-6 having already bowled out Bergholt for 151, Tommy Catt taking 5-43.

Elsewhere, Richard Dove recorded an undefeated 102 as second division Brightlingsea (240-6) pulled off a shock five-run win in the League Cup over Division One high-fliers Mistley.

Mistley (191-4) had started off their weekend in style with a six-wicket win over Division One top three rivals Sudbury (190-8). Evert Ferreira enjoyed another field day after claiming three wickets and scoring 77.

Chris Barton hit 54 for Witham in their 59-run defeat against league leaders Exning (195-9) and there was an undefeated half-century for Lee Jackson who hit a six and eight fours in a 36-ball 52 in Harwich's eight-wicket win at Eight Ash Green.

Dave Denny hit 90 as Division Two leaders Braintree (180-4) saw off St Margarets.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.