CLACTON Cricket Club manager Gary Kirk believes his side are getting closer to promotion - as long as they maintain their work ethic and stay united as a team.

The Seasiders recorded a eight-wicket triumph over neighbours Elmstead, who had started the match lying second in Two Counties Championship division two.

Clacton moved up to third place with the win, with a match-winning partnership of 184 between Brad Turner (102 not out) and Ryan Chamberlain (88 no) the highlight of the innings.

Kirk said: "A true characteristic of our side is that they work hard together in the game but they have real fun.

"They are a real team - moving up to third in the league table and although we are not taking anything for granted, as long as they continue to try hard, work on their cricket disciplines and stay as a unit I can see they are getting close to promotion again this year.

"Brad has been in good form all year so far but this innings was probably the best that I have seen him play.

"It was full of excellent shots all round the ground, offering no chances but provided the impetuous to get the job done.

"He deserves a lot of praise, as does his batting partner Ryan Chamberlain, who followed up on his 91 not out with another 88 not out.

"They made things look really easy."

Elmstead won the toss and quickly elected to bat first.

Clacton's opening bowlers Kirk (4-43) and Pitts started well, both showing excellent control and caused a lot of problems for the Elmstead top order.

Kirk was certainly the pick and the new ball attach taking three early wickets, to put pressure onto the home side.

At 60 for three Clacton had the game by the scruff of the neck only to lose the initiative again through some poor fielding, with another five catches spilled.

Kirk said: "The fielding is starting to be a real issue for the side.

"The team is working really hard but in all honesty they are not improving quickly.

"If we had held our catches I do not think that Elmstead would have scored 150."

Elmstead took full advantage of the dropped catches and despite some continued excellent bowling from in particular young Jack Eastman, started to push the scoring rate towards a competitive total.

Nizami, scoring a patient 70, following up on his century the previous week.

Some lusty blows from Elliott (30 not out) and Cawley (31) allowed Elmstead to set a score of 227 for seven, with Clacton again missing out of wicket bonus points.

"The loss of another set of bonus points is frustrating," said Kirk.

"We have to really push our advantage home in all matches if we are going to compete properly in every game.

"I was incredibly impressed with Brad Turner as wicket-keeper, who had an excellent game behind the stumps."

Clacton's batting has been excellent this year and this match proved no different.

Although Asghar went without troubling the scoreboard, Imran Sheikh (30) started to show some real form before he was out caught behind from the bowling of Dan White (2-52).

It was left to prolific duo Chamberlain and Turner to show what real class the Clacton side has.

Although the Elmstead team tried hard, they had no reply to the Seasiders pair's terrific strokeplay.

Australian all-rounder Turner smashed a huge six to bring up the win and secure a century.

Kirk added: "These two players are great friends on and off the field of play.

"They just seem to bat well together and they made the run chase look so easy.

"I was particularly pleased to see how they controlled their aggressive stroke play and ran well - they were formidable!"