DESPITE his team sitting comfortably top of the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship with an unblemished start to their season, Witham Cricket Club captain Jake Wakelin believes they are still to truly find their top gear.

A five-wicket win against Frinton seconds gave Witham their third win of the season and placed them top of the division one table with a ten-point gap to the second-placed team.

Wakelin is pleased with the results his team have had so far and that they are showing the strength and depth within their squad this year, but he also knows they haven't hit their peak yet.

He said: "We were not at our best on Saturday and we haven't been all season to be honest.

"I know we can improve, but to be unbeaten and top of the league knowing that we haven't hit top form yet is very pleasing.

"We're not getting carried away, though.

"I suppose you could say the fixture list has been kind to us at the start of the season and we haven't played the top teams yet, but you can only beat what is put in front of you.

"We know the next three weeks will be tough, though, as we have a run where we will go to Woolpit on Saturday and I think they are a strong side, before we face Wivenhoe and then Worlington.

"It will be a hard run, but I wouldn't want to be the team facing us when we do put it all together.

"I think we have only got to third gear and our top gear is still to come."

Wakelin said both he and Kaan Hawes would miss the trip to Woolpit on Saturday, but he expected James Suett, Leroy Facey and Shaun Bragg to be available again after missing the win against Frinton last weekend, while Matt McKendry should be leading the team.

The skipper said the win against Frinton was another pleasing performance as there were contributions throughout, including three-wicket hauls for himself and Greg Stephens, before half centuries from Michael Godwin and Simon Jones saw them chase down the visitors score of 200.

"It was another pretty convincing win to be honest," added Wakelin.

"It was a good all-round team performance, which was pleasing and was quite easy in the end.

"We never really looked like we would be in trouble.

"There were points when we were not on top, but at the key moments, we pulled it out of the bag.

"We didn't get off to the strongest of starts and while we didn't bowl badly, we didn't take wickets, but myself and Greg Stephens came in with spin and we took three wickets each, which really kept a lid on their scoring.

"We then had a good start with the bat and got to 100 without loss as Michael Godwin showed his class once again.

"For an 18-year-old to be playing the way he is is impressive and we then have the likes of Forster (Mutizwa), James Smith, Simon Jones, Richard Green and Kaan Hawes coming in in the middle order.

"We know we have strength in depth and when someone fails, we know there will be others coming in who will perform."