Twine targets Biddestone double (From Swindon Advertiser)

Twine targets Biddestone double

12:38am Friday 11th July 2008 in

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NEIL Twine is hoping to make a winning withdrawal from the memory bank when he takes his troops to title dreamers Biddestone, writes GARETH MOORHOUSE.

The Wootton Bassett captain knows the odds are stacked heavily against his side, but a shock victory over Biddestone on the opening day of the season proves anything is possible.

"That's what I will be reminding my players in the dressing room before the game," said Twine.

"Nobody expected us to beat Biddestone last time round but we came out and bowled them out for 56.

"They have made a few low scores this year, so if we can bat first and get some sort of total we might be able to apply some pressure.

"For me the most important thing is that we stick together as a team.

"We've had some tough fixtures these last few weeks and Saturday will be no different. If we do get anything out of the match it will be a huge bonus."

Brothers Jug and Jas Chahal return for Bassett after missing last week's rain-affected draw with Chippenham.

Wicketkeeper Luke Bradley-Leach is still unavailable, so 2nd XI gloveman Sam Burdock continues to deputise.

"Whoever takes to the field I want to see us all pulling in the same direction," said Twine.

"This is not the time to be thinking of individual performances, it as all about how we perform as a team.

"There are seven games to play and we need to win two or three to ensure we stay up. After that we can relax and start to express ourselves."

Goatacre could hand a debut to left-handed batsman Ed Kilbee for their trip to Gloucester City Winget tomorrow.

Kilbee is back from university in South Africa and is available for the next fortnight, but captain Sam Parish faces a difficult decision over whether to include him.

He explained: "We wanted Ed to play last year but he came back too late for us to register him with the league. He would add strength to our batting line-up, but that would mean dropping somebody else if only to bring them back a couple of weeks later.

"It's going to be a tough match at Gloucester. For some reason there always seems to be a bit of needle between the sides, which usually makes for a very competitive game."

• IT was a match of firsts for Wiltshire at Challow and Childrey against Oxfordshire, but a first win of the season still eluded them.

Ross Crick took a wicket with his first ball in Minor Counties cricket and captain Richard Bedbrook scored his maiden century at this level, but Wiltshire had to settle for a draw in the three-day championship match.

Oxfordshire won the toss and elected to bat first but were bowled out for 262 in their first innings.

Wiltshire captain Bedbrook made 103 as Wiltshire reached 374-7, while Oxfordshire declared their second innings on 398-5.

Wiltshire required 287 to claim their first win of the season but it proved too much as they finished on 218-5.