Captain Jake Wakelin was proud of his Witham Cricket Club team as they secured the local bragging rights with a comprehensive victory against Braintree.

Wakelin was in no doubt that the stronger team had won the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division one clash, just as they did at Braintree earlier in the season and was delighted that his players had risen to the occasion with a classy performance.

Witham bowled Braintree out for 173 and then chased down the target inside 30 overs for the loss of just one wicket.

Wakelin said: “We know that when we play well we can beat anyone in this league.

“I’m not bragging, but the better team won both games hands down and I think it showed that we are pretty superior to Braintree at the moment.

“We were up for the game and I can’t fault the boys at all as they were superb.

“Excellent bowling was backed up by brilliant fielding and we then got off to a flier with the bat.

“We were 90 for nought after ten overs so the game was pretty over before it started.

“I gave my wicket away, but it was almost won then and Adrian (Chad) and Jim Suett saw it home.

“I was really pleased to see Jim get runs as I had moved him up the order after seeing him look strong in the nets and it was good to see it pay off.

“To be honest, though, it was just a great attitude from everyone.

“We all wanted to show what a good side we are and the response was brilliant.

“I was very proud of the boys.”

Witham will now be looking to continue their strong form when they head to Coggeshall on Saturday and with their hosts having beaten them in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, Wakelin is looking to set the record straight.

He added: “We were poor when we Continued on page 55 played them first time.

“We had a bad day then but we approach every game the same and I have confidence in the lads.

“Everyone is training hard and I can’t fault their effort at the moment.”

Wakelin said he expected Simon Jones to be available for the game at Coggeshall, but he will be missing Leroy Facey who is absent due to personal commitments.