CRICKET: All in the mind for Swindon

10:18am Friday 16th May 2008

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DARREN Beasant is calling for a "positive mental attitude" from his players as Swindon look to erase last week's costly batting collapse at Lydney from the memory.

The County Ground outfit almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory at Swan Road before a final ball misfield allowed the visitors to scramble an unlikely tie.

Perennial title contenders Gloucester City Winget are the visitors to Swindon tomorrow, and Beasant knows his side can ill afford to dwell on the one that got away.

The skipper said: "We had a brief chat about the Lydney game at nets on Wednesday but I don't want it playing on the mind this weekend.

"We came to some conclusions about what to do differently when we are chasing down a total.

"I want the boys to be much more positive. It doesn't matter if we win the game by one wicket or 10 wickets as long as we get there."

Beasant has kept faith with the same XI that have opened the season with a win and a tie from two away matches, although he revealed the batting order is likely to change.

And with Swindon's second string making a flying start to the summer, several players will already be feeling the pressure for their places.

"It's nice to have that competition because it's something we've not had for a few years," admitted Beasant.

"The first team boys have talked about where we went wrong last week and they deserve another game to put things right.

Visitors Gloucester City will still be smarting from last week's shock defeat to Rockhampton, when the visitors chased down 302 for victory with two balls to spare.

And Beasant has warned his players to prepare for a backlash tomorrow, insisting: "They won't like getting beat last week and if they have any title aspirations of their own they will be looking to come to Swindon and win.'' n PAUL Rowley believes his side may have played their last get out of jail free' card after Lechlade's opening two hard-fought victories.

A 20-run win over Purton on the opening day was followed by a 53-run triumph over Nationwide House, although Rowley admits the pendulum could have swung the other way in both matches.

The captain said: "We could easily have lost our opening two games. We got out of jail last week but we certainly can't keep doing it.

"We have bowled and fielded very well so far, but the batting has really let us down - we look a bit fragile in that department.

"I will mix the order up this week in an effort to give us some more stability at the top of the order."

Lechlade travel to Malmesbury tomorrow looking for a third straight league win, but Rowley knows not to expect any favours.

He said: "We finished above Malmesbury in the league but they have beaten us the last two years.'' Malmesbury skipper Richard Gaunt is reasonably happy with the start of his side, but admits there is still room for improvement after one win and one loss.

"The bowling has been pretty good so far but we are not dominating with the bat as we would like," he said.

"Max Sparrow is available this week. He likes to hit the ball hard and will be a valuable addition to the team."

Richard Evans has got the nod for Lechlade after his strong start to the season in the second XI, while for Malmesbury Stuart McNeil replaces the injured Richard Jefferson.

Elsewhere in the Wiltshire Division, Purton travel to Great Bedwyn and Mark Flay's Nationwide House visit Hinton Charterhouse.

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