MISTLEY'S ladies have started their season in superb fashion with two victories.

First they enjoyed a thrilling two-run success over Copford, in the Beaumont Seymour League.

Having never beaten their opponents in the competition before, the Swans showed tremendous mental strength, pulling together for a nailbiting last over.

Nikki Brown bowled a superb maiden as the ladies prevented Copford scoring the two runs they needed, with a fantastic direct run-out from Fenella Stuart and then another off the last ball by wicketkeeper Claire Dimelow.

On a high from their Friday victory, the ladies faced Felixstowe on Sunday in their first match in the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship.

Felixstowe, another tough opponent, lost the toss and were asked to bowl first.

Mistley openers Susannah Martin and Sophie Southgate both batted well, making 30 and 45 respectively, leaving Felixstowe with 127 runs to chase in their allotted 20 overs.

Mistley, fired up and full of energy, opened the bowling with Candy Cornelius bowling Felixstowe's opening batsman from the third ball.

Her tight bowling of five for three off four overs, along with Laura Dixon (no wickets for nine off two) and Felicity Lees (no wicket for ten off two) put Felixstowe under pressure to score runs quickly. This led to another run-out and the loss of a couple more wickets by Southgate and Isa Nimmons, as the visitors struggled to keep up with the required run-rate, falling short by 13 runs.

Mistley take on Sudbury tonight, hoping to make it three wins from three games.