KEEPING the pace off the ball could be key for Purton tomorrow as they look to send second-placed Marshfield packing.

The inclement weather last month has left many in the West of England Premier League frustrated as games have got started only to be abandoned.

While Purton skipper Aaron Lee, who opens the bowling for his team, felt that his side were in a good position last weekend against WEPL Wiltshire leaders Trowbridge, they were 144-5 off 35 overs before they were forced off, he knows that conditions this week at their ground will be equally as tough.

“It is going to be wet,” admitted Lee, whose side sit in third place. “But there isn’t a lot we can do. The square slides down and water can get under the covers.

“The key could be keeping the pace off the ball, and while that does not suit me, we have players that it will suit.

“We just have to make a few slight adjustments.”

Although Purton were denied the opportunity to see last weekend’s game at Trowbridge out to a conclusion, Lee feels that the performance can give his side confidence.

“We were in a good position to accelerate in the last 15 overs,” Lee said. “With no Duckworth/Lewis in our division - it still hasn’t filtered down - when the rain came, it would have been down to the run-rate we were on.

“That is not always right because you can’t legislate for rain. Had we managed to bat on – Sam Shelford and Sam Collier were looking really good – we could have posted a really good total.”

Purton welcome back Elijah Samuels into their side this weekend, with the Marlborough College student and Hampshire academy product coming in for the unavailable Elliot Hill.