WITHAM Cricket Club captain Jake Wakelin says his players need to back themselves to bounce back from their first setback of the season when they return to Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division one duties this weekend.

They will host Wivenhoe at the Park on Saturday looking to bounce back from a seven-wicket defeat at Woolpit that saw them drop from top of the division one table to fourth spot.

Wakelin said it was disappointing to see his team's unbeaten start to the campaign ended, but while he was one of four Witham players not available for the trip to Woolpit, he said the game was closer than the result suggested.

James Suett top scored for Witham with 54 and James Smith added 38, but no-one was able to press on to a really big score and Witham were all out for 167.

Woolpit then chased down the total with the loss of just three wickets, but the tightness of the Witham bowling meant they required almost 45 overs to get the runs and Wakelin said it highlighted how his team had fallen short with the bat.

However, he is backing them to bounce back when they host Wivenhoe on Saturday.

The Witham skipper said: "I have spoken to the boys and it was a disappointing performance from having got ourselves in a half decent position in our innings.

"But it's not as comprehensive a defeat as the scorecard would suggest.

"The only thing missing was that having got starts, no-one was able to go on and get a really big total.

"We were missing four players, which wasn't ideal, but we had people get starts and no-one went on so we were probably 30 to 40 runs short from what I've been told.

"The bowlers made a good fist of it and Woolpit only got home with five overs to spare, but 30 to 40 runs could have made all the difference.

"We have to put it behind us and get back to our best now against Wivenhoe on Saturday and then against Worlington the week after.

"No-one needs to worry about the league standings, but we do need to get back to winning ways and perform like we know we can.

"We know we are a good side and if we perform our skills properly then we know we can bounce back.

"You have to back your own ability and a couple of good results over the next two weeks would be lovely."

Wakelin said he expected himself, Kaan Hawes and Simon Jones to all return for the game against Wivenhoe on Saturday.