ROYAL Wootton Bassett Town captain Darren Beasant says a more professional approach from his side could serve them well this WEPL Wiltshire season.

After retaining their WEPL stratus at the first attempt last year, the Bassett skipper is looking to repeat the feat this year.

The opening day was kind to Beasant’s troops as they picked up a surprise win away to Marshfield last Saturday.

Last year Bassett did something similar where they beat title contenders Warminster, before being beaten by Great Bedwyn.

This year, Bassett boss Beasant says it is important his troops follow-up their opening day success as they face Marlborough in their first home game of the year.

“Like most we had a pretty disrupted pre-season so it felt a little bit weird to be out in the sun playing cricket last week,” he said.

“I think there are consistencies to last season where we won on the opening day against a team who were title favourites, it was Warminster last year and it was Marshfield this year.

“We came away with an unexpected victory on Saturday, last year we weren’t able to back it up, now this year we need to make sure we don’t repeat the same mistake.

“There are some parallels there and I think we want to make sure their aren’t the same parallels on Sunday morning.

“I think the lack of a pre-season can only effect you if you haven’t done the right preparation. We worked hard over the winter and have had a new infrastructure in place.

“For some of our boys I think that means they have 10-12 weeks of good preparation and that showed on Saturday.

“We are seeing the benefits of preparing more professionally and with more focus than Bassett sides have had in the past, so that can only stand us in good sted.”

Elsewhere in the division, Swindon will be looking to bounce back from their opening defeat to Warminster, as they host league newcomers Chippenham to the County Ground.

Meanwhile Aaron Lee’s Purton will be on the hunt for back-to-back wins as they travel to Corsham II’s station road.

In Prem Two Glos/Wilts, Lechlade will hope to break their three-game losing streak, which has carried over to this season, with a win at home to Corsham.