WITHAM Cricket Club captain Jake Wakelin insists Saturday's showdown with Wivenhoe will not be a Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship title-decider.

However, the Witham skipper and his team, who are leading the division one table, do recognise the importance of the game at the Park as they host the side sat one place below them.

Wivenhoe are now trailing Witham by 14 points after they were beaten by Hadleigh last weekend at the same time that Wakelin's team were extending their winning run to eight games with a three-wicket victory at Worlington.

The Witham skipper felt their rivals' loss made this weekend's clash a more significant one for the visitors, but he also recognised how important it could be for his own team's title hopes.

He said: "I don't think you can say it's a title decider as there's so much cricket still to be played and so many good sides who are in contention, but everyone knows it is a massive game.

"I think it's probably bigger for Wivenhoe after their loss on Saturday as they'll know they can't afford to lose again, especially to us.

"It's in our control now and we just have to try to win every game, but I don't see it as a title decider as we'll find that it's important to look for the win whoever we are playing."

Wakelin was pleased that he expected to be able to name a strong line-up for the important fixture, with Billy Moulton-Day and James Smith both returning after being unavailable last weekend.

"We are feeling great about how we are performing and confidence is really high," added Wakelin.

"We are playing some very good cricket and have been beating some very good sides.

"It's no fluke where we are, but we know there are tough games to come so there's no plain sailing and this week is another massive one for us.

"If we keep winning then we we know that, every week, we are going to be knocking someone out of the title race, but we also know that 14 points can go in a flash so we are not taking anything for granted.

"Wivenhoe are second for a very good reason - they are a good side - and the table doesn't lie at this point in the season.

"Everyone has played each other at least once and there are no false positions so we're going to have to be at our best on Saturday.

"We will be confident but there's no danger of complacency because we know we just have to keep doing what we have been doing and enjoying it.

"We will keep backing each other because each week is showing that we have 11 match winners in there and I don't think many teams can say that."