WHILE Witham Cricket Club appear to have consolidated their place in the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship’s top flight, captain Jake Wakelin is looking forward to his team having a say in where the division one title may go this year.

A dominant display against Worlington last weekend led to seven-wicket victory and, while they aren’t yet mathematically safe from relegation, left Witham looking pretty secure.

It means they can look ahead to the last three games of the season and the prospect of playing two of the key title contenders - starting at leaders Elmstead on Saturday - is one that Wakelin is relishing.

He said: “With three games left, we feel we can put our stamp on the title race.

“That is what our boys thrive on.

“We know what it is like to be up there as we have been in that position for the last two years and we’ll be looking to win all three of our remaining games.

“If we could win two or even three of them then we could still finish in the top four or five.

“It has been a season of rebuilding for us after a few senior players have moved on so that would be a good result.

“It’s been a different type of year for us but it’s been a great turnaround for us from the halfway point of the season as we’ve only lost twice.

“Mathematically we could still go down, but we are looking up more than down now.”

Wakelin said Witham may be missing Matt McKendry, Kaan Hawes, Shaun Bragg and Carl Bragg for the trip to Elmstead, but Richard Green and Matt Anderson should be available to return.

They will travel with confidence after a dominant show against Worlington last weekend.

The spin bowling of Simon Jones, who took five for 13, and Wakelin, who claimed three for 13, proved decisive as Worlington were all out for 99 and Witham chased it down in double quick time as they reached 101 for three with almost 25 overs left.

Wakelin said: “It was a good performance.

“The boys knew it was a vital game with them being below us and us needing to consolidate our position, so to win convincingly was great.

“They started well and were about 60 for one after 12 overs, but Simon Jones and myself came on and we took eight wickets between us for about 30 runs.

“We lost a couple of quick wickets, but Jim Suett and Michael Glynn got us over the line.”