CLACTON Cricket Club skipper Scott Facey has an ominous message for his side’s title rivals.

The Seasiders have won five of their first six Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division three matches so far and are breathing down the necks of leaders Copdock and Old Ipswichian.

Facey “expects” to win the championship crown – and says his buoyant team are only going to get better as key players return.

“We’ve made a great start and are in a strong position,” said the opening batsman.

“Copdock are above us but they’ve played two games more.

“We’ve also still got to play them twice, so we’re feeling confident and I expect to win the title.

“I know it’s dangerous to be over-confident, but I feel so positive because of the start we’ve made and we’re only going to get better.

“These first few weeks were always going to be a potential sticky patch, because we’ve been missing three or four key players in every game.

“Now those players are back and, while there’s still a long way to go, part of me feels the hard work is already done.”