Clacton's cricketers will be aiming to write another new chapter of club history when they meet old rivals Halstead in the Jaygate Homes Two Counties League Cup final at Mistley on Sunday, 1.30pm start.

The coastal club has won a host of championships and titles, but a triumph in this particular competition has so far eluded them.

Two-time winners Halstead are the current cup holders, while Clacton were runners-up to Maldon in the 1997 final.

Although both clubs are now playing in the new East Anglian Premier League, both were performing in the Two Counties last summer and were subsequently invited to compete in the cup competition.

If Clacton emerge triumphant they will have to do it without key bowler Gary Kirk.

Awarded his Suffolk county cap earlier this week, the influential medium pace seamer will be sorely missed.

Kirk has always enjoyed great success bowling on Mistley's New Road wickets, but he is confident his team-mates have the fire power to lift the trophy without him.

He said: "We have been used to winning trophies - winning becomes a good habit and it will be nice if the boys can create a little bit of history by winning the cup.

"It will also be great to cap what has been a learning season for us in the East Anglian league with a cup of any kind."

Top-order batsman Iain Vine will be back to bolster a Clacton line-up that includes in-form former Essex and Worcestershire left-hander Adam Seymour.

Seymour clicked back into gear last week with a spectacular undefeated 121 at Mildenhall, despite being dropped four times before he had reached his half-century.

Kirk said: "Forget the four dropped catches, Adam's last 70 runs is the best batting performance I have seen anywhere this season. It was vintage Seymour."

Clacton kick-off their weekend action with an East Anglian Premier League game against Swardeston at Vista Road on Saturday.

Halstead are not back in league action until Bank Holiday Monday when they travel to Mildenhall.

Colchester and East Essex face a crunch clash this weekend in the Shepherd Neame Essex League. Third-placed Colchester host leaders Chelmsford.

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