HALSTEAD Cricket Club coach Phil Toogood believes they can build something special with their young first team – providing they stay united.

Toogood is still optimistic about the Star Stile club’s chances in this season’s Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division one, despite last week’s eight-wicket defeat at the hands of Wivenhoe.

Halstead will be looking to bounce back at Witham tomorrow and Toogood is staying positive.

He said: “With eight of our players averaging just 20 years old, we have the foundation of something special if they stay fit and together.

“So far we’ve won one, should have won another and lost against a side fielding a successful first-class professional cricketer while only playing to 65 per cent of our capabilities – so I’m still very optimistic.

“We have key players who are still to show their best form on a Saturday and our side is in the process of development.

“Therefore, for me, it remains all encouraging going forwards.”