DUNMOW Cricket Club were left ruing crucial missed chances as they fell to their third successive defeat against Easton in Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division two.

Skipper Paul Reid won the toss for the fourth week in a row and chose to bowl first on a fresh afternoon.

Once again, this looked to be a good decision as opening bowlers Matt Gibson and Josh Rix claimed regular victims to leave Easton 42 for five after 13 overs.

Things didn't improve for the visitors with the introduction of Steve Hamlin as he took a wicket with his first ball on the way to figures of three for 43.

However, Easton's Joleon Kimmerling was to make Dunmow pay for putting him down on about 35, as together with Jez Brotherton, they took the score from 92 for eight in the 23rd over to 224 for eight at the close.

Kimmerling, who was dropped again on 96 made 127 not out and Brotherton an unbeaten 64.

Dunmow’s reply was hampered before it have begun, by injuries in the field to batsmen Nick Coupe and Nav Ali meaning they could only bat at nine and 11 respectively.

Unlike Easton’s innings, all of Dunmow top six made double figures, but not one of them was able to go on and make the big score that would have given them the chance of winning.

Although Ali played through the pain to top-score with 27, Easton wrapped up a convincing victory in the 38th over.

Dunmow seconds had a 134-run victory against Boxford to back up their season opener against Kelvedon and Feering thirds of the week before.

Dunmow host Exning on Saturday, while the seconds travel to West Bergholt.