Ben Wilkins looks ahead to Haverhill’s Two Counties Championship Division Two trip to Maldon this weekend

Ben Wilkins admits Haverhill face a tough test on the road against one of the early season pace-setters Maldon this weekend.

Haverhill make the trip to Drapers Farm Sports Club on Saturday (1pm) still in search of their first win of the new Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship Division Two season.

Their hosts this weekend Maldon have already racked up three victories from their opening three games to sit second in the fledgling table, three points behind leaders Kesgrave who also boast a perfect 3-0 record so far this term.

“It’s going to be a tough trip,” Haverhill captain Wilkins said.

“They’re three (wins) from three at the moment and they’re looking pretty strong.

“We can only do what we can do and if we play the best we can then we’ll give them a game and it can go either way. That’s what we’ve got to hope for really.

“Weve been missing a few players in the first few weeks of the season, which is a shame.

“Callum (Lewis) played his first game for the first team on Saturday and he’ll be around every week now.

“We’ve been missing Max Egan through football and Dan Poole has had bowls finals for the last three weeks.

“In the next couple of weeks everyone else should be back and we’ll hopefully be at full strength.”

On Saturday, Haverhill were back at their Manor Road home for the first time this season but fell short in the run chase, losing by 42 runs to Copdock & Old Ipswichian II.

Copdock opener Ollie Burle scored 61 runs but was one of five wickets claimed by home debutant Callum Lewis (5-52).

Haverhill skipper Wilkins (3-35) also contributed with three wickets as the visitors were all out for 186.

Sam Hartshorn opened the batting for Haverhill and top scored with 49, whle Ricardo James, in at three, added 32 runs, but the home side fell short on 144, with Burle (3-13) and Elliot Tyler (5-28) doing the damage for Copdock with the ball.

“I think we did 50 per cent very well,” Wilkins reflected.

“We bowled and fielded really well, but we just let ourselves down with the bat, which was disappointing.

“I think it was an opportunity for us and we could have won the game.

“It was Callum’s first game for the first team and it was good to see him doing well, taking five wickets, it’s brilliant for him and for us as well.

“Sam batted really well and got us into a position where we should have won the game really, but unfortunately he got out and Ricardo got out and it left us in a bit of a sticky situation.”