Witham Cricket Club captain Jake Wakelin is encouraged that his team could open their Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship season with a win and know that there is still more to come.

A 12-run victory at Elmstead Grasshoppers got Witham’s division one season off to a winning start as the visitors made 245 for six before restricting the hosts to 233 for eight.

Wakelin was pleased to see his team make a winning start, but knows there is room for improvement when they host Coggeshall at the Park on Saturday.

He said: “There was a bit of rustiness, which was inevitable as it was the first game of the season, but overall it was a good performance at Elmstead. We batted first and got off to a good start with all the top six getting scores.

“The only disappointment was that people got in and then no-one really kicked on to a 70, 80 or 90 score which would have got us up to 270 or 280.

“However, we were pleased enough with our total and we then bowled well. Matt McKendry opened the bowling and did very well and everyone kept it tight. Then at the death Leroy (Facey) and Sam Cooper bowled fantastically well.

“Elmstead probably looked favourites at times to win, but we knuckled down and stayed together in the field.

“There were a few catches dropped but no-one was having a go at anyone else and it’s this sort of game where our team spirit and togetherness really shows."