THERE was more than a touch of déjà vu about Witham Cricket Club's latest victory as they moved ever closer to a historic first Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship title.

If Witham do get over the line and claim the division one crown against Lakenheath on Saturday, there can be little dispute that they are worthy recipients of the title.

Their 149-run victory at Ipswich last weekend was Witham's 14th win in a row and, like they have in pretty much every game since the end of May, they dominated their opponents in all facets of the game.

Having won the toss and elected to bat, Witham made full use of their good fortune as Michael Godwin scored a second consecutive century and James Smith hit 124 from less than 100 balls to take them to 301 for two from their 50 overs.

It was a daunting target for bottom club Ipswich to chase and although they made a reasonably solid start and made it to 94 with just one wicket down, the final nine fell for 58 runs as the hosts were still 149 runs adrift when they were all out.

"It was pretty similar to the last game and most of the last 13 or 14 really," said Witham captain Jake Wakelin.

"I think it's only been the Woolpit game that has been anywhere close as we've dominated games and this was no different.

"We scored over 300, set up beautifully by a century from Michael Godwin - his fourth 100 of the year by a player who just goes from strength to strength - and supported by an excellent 100 from James Smith.

"It was his second century for the first team after he scored on at Frinton last year but he got 124 from 90-odd balls as he and Michael added 200 for the third-wicket partnership. "It was just really impressive from both of them and the bowlers then backed it up.

"Shaun Bragg got an early wicket and then the spinners came on and did the job.

"James' century underlines once again the strength in depth that we have. "He's the fourth player to have got a first-team 100 this year.

"We've had people getting centuries and big scores to win games and we're lucky that we haven't had to rely on one or two people as a lot of other teams have.

"We have six or seven capable of doing that and it's the same with the bowling.

"There are three or four spinners and our opening bowlers who are all capable of five-wicket hauls and this display against Ipswich was another typical Witham display where we had plenty of people making key contributions."

Witham, who lead division one by 13 points from second-placed Wivenhoe, will now look to wrap up the title when they host Lakenheath on Saturday, but that isn't the end of an exciting weekend for the club.

Even if Wivenhoe were to overhaul Witham to the Two Counties title, Wakelin's team will still take their place in the play-offs to join the Read Brothers Ltd East Anglian Premier League.

Wivenhoe have declined to be put forward, but Wakelin said Witham were keen to test themselves at the higher level and would relish the opportunity to advance via the play-offs.

With second place now guaranteed in the Two Counties Championship, it is Witham who will go into the play-offs, which start on Sunday.

The first part, regardless of Two Counties results the day before, will see Witham travel to Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire Premier League division one champions Sawston and Babraham for a play-off semi-final.

It has been the first time Sawston and Babraham have won their respective league title and they are unbeaten at home in the last three years.