Harwich and Dovercourt Cricket Club prepare for one of the biggest matches in their recent history

The Low Road side have a crunch match at home to fellow Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division five high-fliers Kesgrave.

Harwich are top of the table with an 11-point lead over the Suffolk side.

And with the outcome of tomorrow's showdown likely to have a major say in this season's title race, there is everything to play for. The action gets underway at 1pm.

Harwich captain Sam Felgate said: "I can't play it down, because it's a very big game and one we dearly want to win.

"I'd say it's the biggest match in the club's recent history, certainly in the nine or ten years we've been down in division five.

"Kesgrave are a very good side and should probably be playing at a higher level.

"But we feel similarly about ourselves and that's why it's such an important, crunch match.

"The result could dictate the next three or four weeks, which could in turn dictate the rest of our season and whether we go up or not.

"We've just got to get our performance right and ask ourselves 'what have we got to do to help the team win the game?'

"It's the kind of match you want to be involved in and it's so nice to be in a match with so much at stake.

"I'd rather be in our position than Kesgrave's, though.

"If we win, we'll be in pole position. And even if we lose, we'll still be neck and neck."

Harwich have won eight of their matches and only lost one, but they faced disappointment last weekend following the cancellation of their match against Worlington twos.

The wet weather intervened and both sides were awarded six points.

Overall, it's been a highly-successful start to the season and Felgate believes his players can sustain their form through to September.

"It's been very pleasing," he said.

"I couldn't be happier and I don't think things could be going much better.

"We've maintained our winning ways and before the disappointment of last week's cancellation, it was great to beat both Great Bromley and Nacton.

"Nacton, especially, are a good side so that was a massive result that showed everyone we mean business.

"Our form in the first half of the season has been awesome.

"I couldn't have asked for more as captain, in terms of performances and results but also in terms of availability, commitment and attitude.

"Different players have stepped up to the plate and performed at different moments in different games.

"We've been very consistent and it's nice to be in this position - for the first time in ages - with so much to play for in the second half of the season.

"We've got real momentum and hopefully if we can keep it going we'll be there or thereabouts.

"I really believe we can sustain this form and you only have to look at the way things have gone since we lost our only game, against Eight Ash Green.

"After that one defeat might have led to another, but we bounced back very positively.

"The club's in such a good place and everyone is enjoying their cricket, determined to achieve the same goals.

"We're looking forward to games so much and I receive texts saying that on Tuesdays and Wednesdays."

Aside from his cricket, Felgate is also Harwich and Parkeston's goalkeeper.

And he says he has been impressed with the club's first few close-season training sessions, led by new manager Glenn Eldridge and assistant boss Paul Grainger.

"It's been great and we've had some excellent, well-attended and structured training sessions," he said.

"Everyone is feeling very positive and looking forward to the season."