Another hugely fragile batting performance consigned Dunmow to another defeat on Saturday on a damp overcast day at St Edmunds Lane.

Skipper for the day Luke Swanston (pictured below) lost a key toss against Elmstead Market and found his side inserted on a bowler-friendly wicket.

It all started so well, with Nick Kesingland taking 12 from the first over.

This was as good as it got for a long time however, as a procession of Dunmow batsmen came and went.

They fell victim to the bowling of Michael Burle who took 6-21, including a hat-trick, and Dan White 3-29, with four wickets falling with the score at 14.

A humblingly low total was on the cards at 33-8 and 46-8 but James Reyburn was able to build something approaching an innings with a well- made 46. Nonetheless a score of 81 was well below par.

In the field, the bowlers showed what might have been as they built pressure on the visiting batsmen, taking wickets regularly and bowling a tight line and length.

Baz Sewell took 3-39, Matt Gibson 1-15 and Reyburn 2-18 as they all showed what could be achieved.

It in some ways created even more frustration as a score of 130 might just have been enough to win the game.

Catching was generally excellent in th efield with Gibson, Sewell and George Gallant claiming catches.

Elsewhere, Dunmow 2nds claimed a convincing win over Maldon 4ths to retain their unbeaten record in Division Nine South.

On Saturday the 1sts travel to Ipswich and East Suffolk, while the 2nds host West Mersea 2nds.