AARON Lee is hoping to take advantage of a few first-day nerves when his Purton side make the short trip to Swindon tomorrow for their WEPL Wiltshire curtain-raiser.

Following the restructuring for the leagues over the winter, Swindon have found themselves ‘demoted’ from Glos/Wilts Division, while Purton have stayed at the same level.

While admitting that the depth of the squad is not as long as he would like, Lee believes that on their day Purton are a match for anyone.

Having kept the squad together from last season, the club have brought in Namibian all-rounder Xander Pitchers.

The 22-year-old has been playing first-class cricket for Namibia in southern Africa and has featured in the ICC World Cricket League Championship.

Pitchers arrived at Purton bereft of form a fortnight ago, however, he was quickly into his stride last weekend in a pre-season mixed XI friendly against Marshfield as he struck a century.

“He is a pretty imposing player to be honest,” Lee said. “He is an aggressive batsman and bowls a bit of off-spin as well.

“He has played at a pretty decent standard and we are looking forward to seeing him play.

“With the team that we have got this season we will be a match for anyone, but we need a few more senior guys who can play for the ones and twos.

“The way that the league was restructured means that our twos are in way down (in Wiltshire League Division Seven), but there is a chance for them to be promoted two divisions.

“In the firsts, there is the possibility of four teams being relegated so we have got to be wary of that.

“The aim is to be in the top half though.”

Having seen good numbers throughout the winter and at this week’s nets, Lee is looking forward to tomorrow’s derby clash at Swindon.

“It is ideal for us,” he said. “We will go there as the underdogs.

“But there will be a few nerves around and if we can take advantage of that then I have every confidence that we can come away with a result.”