ROYAL Wootton Bassett captain Darren Beasant is hoping his side’s fine start to the season will allow his players to play with freedom.

Bassett’s 96-run success at Purton last weekend moved them up to third in the WEPL Wiltshire table.

However, more importantly for the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground side, who host Marshfield tomorrow, it was their fifth win of the season.

When Bassett secured their return to WEPL, following an absence of three years, Beasant had set his players a target of six wins to retain their status.

Although that sixth win has yet to have been secured, Beasant firmly believes his side will stay up and he is now looking at other goals.

“We came into this season not really knowing what to expect,” Beasant said. “The aim was to retain of WEPL status – I think we have done that now.

“Yes, we can relax and play with a bit of freedom now, but we have to have goals.

“The first one is to make sure we finish in the top half. Once we have done that, I think it would be nice if we could finish the highest out of the clubs that are local to us.”

Success over Purton last weekend was Bassett’s third in succession and while Beasant is hoping to make it four, he knows that Marshfield will not make it easy.

“We have shown that we can compete with teams in the top four and the boys are really enjoying this season,” the skipper added."

Swindon will be looking to make it back-to-back wins when they welcome Marlborough to the County Ground.

While Purton will be keen to put the Bassett defeat behind them when they head to bottom-of-the-table Great Bedwyn.