KHALIPHA Cele struck an unbeaten century and Michael Johnston claimed four wickets as Mistley's cricketers enjoyed an excellent 36-run success at home to Hadleigh.

The sides met in a Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship first division contest on Saturday afternoon.

Swans skipper Graeme Butcher won the toss, elected to bat and saw his side reach an impressive 263 for four from 50 overs.

South African Cele's 110 not out was the highlight and included 11 fours and a six, from 114 balls.

He was ably supported by Myles Churchill, who scored a crucial 59 from 61 balls, featuring five fours and two sixes, while Daniel Goff finished unbeaten with a brisk 34 from just 22 balls.

Gareth Stevens contributed 21, Sam Burkitt 16 and Butcher 11.

When it came to Hadleigh's response, Johnston was the undoubted hero and, in his excellent ten overs, he returned four wickets for 47 runs.

This haul included claiming the first three of the visitors' batsmen, with two of them caught by wicketkeeper Churchill.

Bruce Leeke finished with two for 29 in his ten overs and there were also wickets for Cele and Jimmy Goff.

The upshot was that Hadleigh were restricted to 227 for eight, after 50 overs.

Mistley took 19 points from the contest and will be hoping for more success tomorrow when they welcome second-placed title-contenders Witham to New Road.

Meanwhile, in division three, Mistley's second team lost by seven wickets at Felixstowe and Corinthians.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, openers Simon Everett (43) and Henry Saddington (39) got them off to a fine start but only two of their team-mates managed double figures as the Swans finished on 137 for seven, from 45 overs.

Felixstowe reached their target for the loss of three wickets, which were taken by Harrison Rogers, Robin Mills and Cameron Rose.

Mistley took three points and next up they travel to Abberton and District.

Mistley had no North Essex League fixture last weekend but are due to visit Wivenhoe in a first division contest on Sunday.