A second consecutive win has given Halstead Cricket Club’s first team hope of avoiding the drop as the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division one season comes to a close today.

Following last weekend’s derby day victory against local rivals Coggeshall at Star Stile, Halstead can’t finish in the bottom two spots in the table.

Both of the bottom pair will definitely be relegated and Halstead have avoided that particular fate, however, they are still third from bottom and three teams could go down depending on who goes up or comes down from the East Anglian Premier League. So they know that a win at Hadleigh could be crucial tomorrow.

Coach Phil Toogood said: “It’s all down to the last game and watching other results which could determine our future.

“It all bodes well for another nail-biting weekend for me.

“We are setting out to win on Saturday against Hadleigh as a minimum requirement.

“The more points we collate the better and the maximum of 20 will do nicely.”

The onus is on Halstead to perform and captain Josh Wells knows that they are good enough to get that vital win.

He said: “It’s a big weekend ahead and hopefully a win will be enough for us.

“So if we win, there’s no reason why we can’t hop over both Frinton and Worlington.

“I don’t think there’s much pressure on us, because we know if we play our best cricket then we should win.

“When we’ve lost this year, we haven’t played to our best and that’s why we’re in the position we’re in, but everyone has enjoyed this year and there’s no reason to put pressure on ourselves. Everyone knows they are capable of performing.”

Meanwhil, Halstead seconds need two points to guarantee promotion from division four when they host St Margarets and a win to secure the title, while the thirds host Cavaliers knowing a win would give them the division eight south crown.