Halstead Cricket Club captain Josh Wells feels they could look back on their opening day success against Worlington as an important result at the end of the season.

A six-wicket victory at Star Stile was a great way to start the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division one season for Halstead as they chased down Worlington’s total of 148 for the loss of just four wickets.

And the result was even more impressive when taking into account the fact that they lost one of their key players before a ball had been bowled.

Wells said: “It was absolutely brilliant, we couldn’t have asked for a better start, however, it didn’t look so good before the game as we lost Dave Elsbury in the warm-up.

“He pulled a calf muscle and couldn’t play so Darren Hutchinson came into the side.

“It was a blow as Dave is a key bowler for us, but having Darren come in and the way we then bowled as a team shows the strength that we have in the side.

“Everyone bowled really well and to get them out for under 150 was fantastic.

“It wasn’t as straightforward as it may appear at first glance, though, as we dropped a couple of chances in the middle order and taking them would have made it easier, but if you’d offered us getting them all out for 148 before the game, we’d have taken your hand off.

“And then everyone applied themselves well with the bat. Some wickets were given away a bit cheaply, but it wasn’t easy as Worlington are a good side and it was good to get home with only four wickets down.

“Worlington finished seventh in the table last season and I think we could look back on this result as an important one at the end of the season.”

Halstead will now be looking to build on their solid start when they head to Frinton seconds today to face another side that got promoted last year after pipping them to the division two title.