Captain Darren Beasant plotting Bassett’s consolidation after promotion back to WEPL

The Gerard Buxton Sports Ground side make their return to the West of England Premier League after an absence of four years tomorrow.

Yet Beasant, who takes his side to Sambourne Road to face Warminster, believes Bassett do have the ability to stay in the division come September.

“Do I think we will win it? Of course I don’t,” Beasant said. “Do I think we will go down? If we do ourselves justice, then no.

“There are two or three teams in the division, Warminster, Trowbridge and Marshfield – who have been runners up for the last three years – who will be looking to go up.

“But if we can get to that first weekend in September knowing that we are staying up, then we will have had a good season. If we can surprise a few people along the way, then that will be even sweeter.”

Having kept the nucleus of last season’s Wiltshire League title winning squad together, Bassett have been boosted by the return of slow left-arm bowler Ian Lancaster, who missed the last couple of seasons after having knee reconstruction surgery.

The club have also signed New Zealander Jarad McDonald after he played for Westbury last year.

“He was the second highest run scorer in WEPL Wiltshire last season and also the player of the year,” Beasant said.

“He was wicketkeeper for Westbury, but he won’t keep wicket for us, he is going to open the batting for us alongside Sam Lawro.”

Bassett, who have won pre-season friendlies against Goatacre, Burbage and Easton Royal and Urchfont, face a Warminster side looking to earn an immediate return to Premier Two Glos/Wilts following relegation last season.

“I knew before the fixtures came out that we would either be going to Warminster or Swindon – I just had that feeling,” Beasant said. “We can go there with nothing to lose.

“We’ve probably got to win six or seven matches to stay up, if we have played, with all due respect, Devizes and (Great) Bedwyn and still haven’t won then it is going to be tough.”