HALSTEAD Cricket Club's T20 captain Callum Hansey hopes his team's victory at the North Essex Cricket League's T20 Finals Day can inspire the club to further successes.

Home advantage certainly counted for Halstead as they secured the title at their Star Stile ground by first beating Colchester & East Essex by nine-wickets in the semi-finals and then with a 49-run victory against Coggeshall in the final.

Hansey said: "I'm delighted, absolutely delighted to have won the competition at the first time of asking.

"It has been a tough season at times this year, but to go out and win a trophy at Star Stile - in pretty convincing fashion - just makes all the stress worth it.

"Our top order have consistently scored runs this year meaning we've not really needed the middle order until the final, but they showed up.

"Then the bowling and fielding defending the total was probably the best it's been in the competition.

"The core of the side has been pretty settled and they have been playing good cricket on a Saturday, but hopefully that first taste of silverware spurs everyone on for the rest of the season and into next year.

"Fingers crossed we can defend the title."

The day turned into a proud one all round for the hosts and club chairman Dave Brooker was delighted to be able to crown it with silverware.

He added: "It was a privilege for the club to be able to host the Finals Day at Star Stile.

"It was another chance to showcase our ground that is so beautifully maintained by a team of willing volunteers, so as always a thank you to all of them.

"The car park was full with spectators and there was some top quality cricket on display from all four teams.

"Even better that we ensured the trophy stayed at Star Stile; all credit to Callum and the team for securing a welcome piece of silverware.

"It was a true team effort, with all members of the squad contributing not just on the day but through the whole competition."

However, Halstead's struggles continued in Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship.

With three games of the division one season to go - starting with a trip to Maldon on Saturday - Halstead's first team are still just one place outside the relegation zone after a three-wicket loss against Coggeshall last weekend.

Halstead overcame the loss of early wickets to post a total of 202 for nine from their 50 overs, with Mark Johnson leading the scoring with a half century in the middle order.

However, they were unable to defend that as, despite losing three wickets for three runs during their innings, Coggeshall were able to chase down the target for the loss of seven wickets.

Halstead seconds were also beaten in division four as they lost by seven wickets at Tuddenham and the thirds went down to a 193-run defeat by Long Melford twos in division seven.