It was a bad day for the home clubs in the top two divisions of the Two Counties Championship.

All seven that managed to see some action - three in division one and four in the second - all expererienced the bitter taste of defeat.

Elmstead Grasshoppers, second in division two at the start of play, suffered the greatest setback when crashing by eight wickets to Witham, who now replace them in runners-up spot.

Once again football and cricketing all-rounder Cody McDonald was the hero.

The goal-getting, run-scorer blasted 18 fours in a 60-minute knock of 82 as Witham cruised to victory on 118 with only two wickets down.

McDonald had earlier weighed in with three wickets for 30 runs, admirably supported by Leroy Facey with figures of four for 36, as Grasshoppers, who surprisingly elected to bat on a green and damp wicket after winning the toss, were skittled for a mere 117.

Wivenhoe (123 all out) and struggling with only one win in the first division, suffered again at the hands of pre-season title favourites Copdock and Old Ipswichians who raced to victory by six wickets on 124 for four.

Former Clacton and current Suffolk county spinner Chris Swallow was Wivenhoe's chief destroyer with outstanding figures of seven for 40.

There was a surprising heavy defeat also for Halstead who were crushed by five wickets against reigning champions Sudbury at Star Stile, despite a briliant knock of 110 by their Indian overseas star Amit Gupta.

Halstead (177 for nine) and third at the start of play, slumped into mid-table as Sudbury moved above them on 181 with only half their side back in the pavilion.

Sudbury's overseas star Jon Kent proved Halstead's undoing with bowling figures of four for 24 before going on to hit an undefeated 79.

Current league leaders Mildenhall also made short work of poor hosts Ipswich and East Suffolk, who were bowled out for a paltry 42 replying to the Wamill Way outfit's 134 - victory by 91 runs.

In division two, third placed Mistley (207 for seven) saw off hosts Easton (172 for nine) by 35 runs.

Bottom of the table Brightlingsea (223 for five) hammered Haverhill (105) by 118 runs, while Kelvedon and Feering (214 for eight) disposed of Woodbridge (179 for nine) by 35 runs.