Halstead's in-form opening batsman Neale Dakin is aiming to enjoy a bumper Bank Holiday run feast.

The run-hungry Star Stile right-hander has already hit top form in his first two outings to the crease as the three-times Two Counties champions currently set a hot pace alongside Cambridge St Giles at the top of the newly-launched East Anglian Premier Cricket League.

Already boasting a remarkable record of 175 runs for only once out, Dakin is banking on extending his impressive feat with two more "big scores" as Halstead entertain pre-season title favourites Norwich on Saturday followed by a trip to lowly Mildenhall on Monday.

Individual scores of 115 and 60 not out against Swardeston and Cambridge Granta respectively, have already made the Norfolk-based batter a man to watch.

And as he prepares for another battle royal with the Norwich and Mildenhall bowling attacks, Dakin said: "Another couple of big scores would do me nicely.

"The good thing about this new league is the fact that it gives you time to settle down and build an innings, unlike the Two Counties where it was 45 overs a side and it was very much a case of 'get in and get on with it'."

Dakin is already glowing about his match-winning 115 scored against Swardeston two weeks ago.

He said: "I have never had to bat 60 overs for a century before.

"Runs were very hard to come by on a damp wicket and I rate that innings somewhere among the top four in my career. That aside, I am very much a team man. I always try my hardest and play for the team.

"The premier league is certainly a change from what we at Halstead have been used to - it is totally different from the Two Counties Championship. The new league is very much a tactical game about timing and knowing when to declare.

"Harry (Paul Harris), our skipper, appears to have cracked things pretty well and now we just want to carry on winning.

"We still have very much the same side that we've had for the past ten years and we and our old Two Counties colleagues Clacton have been rather used to winning things.

"It would be nice if that were to carry on and Halstead were to finish the season as the first East Anglian Premier League champions."

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