HARWICH and Dovercourt Cricket Club captain Lee Davis is “quietly confident” about his side’s survival chances - but says nothing will be taken for granted on a what promises to be a nerve-jangling final weekend.

The Low Road side moved out of the relegation zone and up to fourth from bottom in Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division five after Saturday’s emphatic eight-wicket success against basement boys Yoxford.

They are now eight points ahead of Earl Stonham.

Tomorrow’s final game is away to third-from-bottom Great Bromley, with both sides knowing a win will guarantee survival but defeat will leave them waiting for the result of the Stonham game.

“Thanks to last week’s victory, we can technically lose tomorrow and stay up but no-one is relying on that,” Davis told the Standard.

“As Bromley are now below us, there’s more pressure on them and, with a strong side available, we’re quietly confident rather than nervous.

“Saturday’s win was huge in terms of survival.

“Many games got abandoned and had ours fallen to the weather, we’d still have been in the bottom two and praying for no rain this week.

“A second factor was that we were playing a side who have yet to win this season.

“Whereas others have gained 30 to 40 points against Yoxford, we would have been restricted due to the rain.

“It was a great team effort, with eight catches held in the field and all four bowlers taking at least one wicket.

“However, Mark Davies’ contributions changed the game.

“First he took two catches to get the ball rolling and then he came into the attack just when Yoxford were putting on a partnership and was key to them collapsing for 85.

“Due to the fact we missed the rain by 15 minutes, getting Yoxford out cheaply and quickly was vital.”

Davis says availability has been an issue this season, but praised those who have stepped up to the plate and given their all.

“Our aspiration after last season was promotion, but it’s been tough this year as the club have suffered with availability of key players due to football and other factors,” he said.

“Survival, based on the teams we’ve had out, would be seen as a minimum for the year.

“Relegation is not something we planned or expected and would hit future plans, but it’s something we’ll deal with if the worst-case scenario happens tomorrow.

“What I can say is that those players who have stepped up have given me 100 per cent and a number of young players have performed well, showing positive signs for the future.

“On a personal level, it’s always an honour to captain a Harwich XI and especially the first team.

“I’ve captained every side from youth level upwards and, although my own performances have not been what I had hoped for at the start of the year, it’s been great to see other players perform well, especially those who have worked hard at their game and are seeing that work pay off during matches.”