By Callum Hansey

Halstead Cricket Club coach Phil Toogood was pleased to see their first-team players open their season with the “will to win” that he has been looking for.

Toogood was one of the most successful captains of the Star Stile side during his playing days and has been looking to instil a deep desire to win since returning to the club as coach.

So he was heartened to see evidence of that in their six-wicket victory against Worlington that got the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division one season off to a fine start.

“I was very pleased with some individual performances and contributions,” said Toogood.

“The excellent pre-season preparations clearly paid dividends.

“It was important that we bowled Worlington out for under 150, as was the Halstead opening stand of 50 plus that gave us the platform to go on and win the game."