CRICKET: Confident Bassett target three in a row

12:20pm Friday 16th May 2008

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NEIL Twine is gunning for a Glos/Wilts hat-trick tomorrow as his Wootton Bassett side look to cement their place at the division's summit with victory over Lydney, writes GARETH MOORHOUSE.

Last season's Wiltshire Division champions have won their opening two fixtures and Twine insists hosting Lydney at Rylands Way holds no fear for his players.

"If we are going to be real contenders for the league we really need to be beating teams like Lydney at home," he said. "We are confident that we can pick up another win and make it a hat-trick for the club this weekend.

"When a team comes up from a lower league like we have they tend to treat every game as a cup final.

"Other sides who have been in this division for years may take some matches for granted, especially if they play the same opposition all the time. I think we might surprise a few people this season."

Twine maintains consolidation is his primary objective this season, but insists the sky is the limit for the club in the future.

And though the new season is only two weeks old, the Bassett captain is already targeting a lengthy stay at the top end of the table.

He said: "We feel we have got something to prove to the local clubs that we are serious about our cricket and that we want to stay and compete.

"The club has great ambition to move forward. We don't want to just stay in Glos/Wilts in future, we want to push on into Premier Two."

Seamer Ian Lancaster returns, looking to build on his five wickets against Biddestone on the opening weekend.

Dassy Rafiq comes in for John Davies, while Joe Lukens returns to Loughborough University.

Goatacre are bidding for a hat-trick of their own as they look to inflict yet more misery on rivals Chippenham.

The villagers beat their illustrious counterparts twice last season and skipper Sam Parish admits it would be a real boost to upset the odds again.

He said: "Our win at Chippenham on the opening day last year was probably our most enjoyable result.

"Our experience probably got us through those two matches last season but we know Chippenham will be out for revenge."

On Sunday, Goatacre host Potterne in the second round of the National Village Cup.

Marlborough face a stiff task at early Glos/Wilts pace-setters Rockhampton.