FIRST-TEAM captain Jake Wakelin feels performances on the opening day of the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship season show that Witham Cricket Club are getting things right on and off the field.

Wakelin's team got their division one campaign off to a winning start as they beat Mistley by 90 runs at home and there was also a home win for Witham seconds in division five as they had a six-wicket success against visiting Earl Stonham.

"The encouraging thing was that there were contributions throughout the team against Mistley and when I looked over at the seconds I thought the strength there was incredible as well," said Wakelin.

"They had people like Michael Glynn, Richard Green, Jack Sambrook, Simon Jones and Will Smith - all who played first team cricket last year.

"It shows the club is going in the right direction.

"We may be missing Leroy Facey on Saturday in the firsts, but there are four or five players who are pushing for a place in the firsts.

"It's a nice problem to have over who to bring in but it's good to have options."

The firsts' win against Mistley was set up by a strong batting display - in particular by James Suett and Witham's Zimbabwean overseas player Forster Mutizwa.

A 95 from Suett and a half-century from Mutizwa on his Witham debut set them up to score 229 for seven and three wickets apiece for Matt McKendry, Carl Bragg and Facey saw the Swans skittled out for just 136.

"It was a good start for us," added Wakelin.

"Mistley were a bit of a bogey side for us last year and we lost to them twice, so on the whole, it was a good day at the office for us.

"It was a convincing win and I thought we proved we are a team full of strong players who can step up to the plate.

"After myself and Michael Godwin went early we were eight for two, but there was then a brilliant stand between Forster (Mutizwa) and Jim Suett.

"It wasn't the easiest of wickets to bat on as it was quite soft, but they ticked over and batted sensibly.

"Forster got his half-century and was unfortunate to play on, but Jim went on and hit an excellent 95.

"He was so unlucky to get out the way he did as he was run out backing up at the bowler's end, but I thought he deserved to get a 100.

"You won't see many better knocks that that all season and it set us up to win.

"If there are any better than that then fair play as it was top quality in tough conditions.

"There were then a few contributions down the order that added to what we felt was a really challenging total.

"Matt McKendry then took early wickets and Greg Stephens got rid of their danger man Danny Goff before the spinners came on and did a good job in keeping it tight.

"It was a very convincing win in the end and very pleasing after losing the toss and batting first on a tricky wicket.

"The team showed their class and that they wouldn't be fazed.

"It was a strong performance and while it wasn't perfect, it was a very pleasing start."

Witham are due to follow it up on Saturday with a trip to Hadleigh, who opened their season with a narrow win against Wivenhoe and Wakelin knows it could be a testing game.

He said: "Most teams can beat anyone else in this league and there are not many upsets, so we know Hadleigh will be tough.

"They will be on a high after their result but we are looking forward to the challenge.

"We didn't do well there last year, so we will be looking for another good result."

Meanwhile, Witham seconds are due to host Hadleigh seconds on Saturday.