9:00am Friday 26th June 2009
By Anthony Marshall
GOATACRE club captain Sam Parish believes the next month could “make or break” their Wiltshire Division season, starting tomorrow at home against Winsley.
With five wins to their name already this campaign, Goatacre approach the halfway mark sat promisingly in fourth place.
But having faced the second-placed side this weekend, Parish’s men then travel to the same side next time out to complete a double header against Winsley.
That is followed by tough fixtures against Calne and Purton, and the skipper, pictured right, knows at least three wins are needed if they are to keep touch with leaders Marlborough.
“The first half of the season has been a little bit disappointing to be honest,” said Parish. “We seem to have lost a couple of games we shouldn’t have done.
“However, we’ve got a double header with Winsley over the next fortnight and then some big games after that so this is a massive few weeks for us.
“The next month could really make or break our season.”
Nationwide House travel to league leaders Marlborough tomorrow, but their bowling attack is weakened by the loss of Mark Morris - who is attending Glastonbury.
Wicketkeeper Harpal Momi returns behind the stumps after work commitments and captain Joe Perkins is confident they can build on a good performance last time out.
“We are going into this weekend’s game confident from a decent display in the field against Goatacre, even though the game ended in defeat,” said Perkins.
“However, a strong batting display will be required if we are to secure our second win of the season, against another high flying team.”
Elsewhere, Purton travel to Calne, Malmesbury entertain Potterne, and Westinghouse take on Great Bedwyn.
Paul Rowley’s men have found it tough going in the league so far, picking up just two wins in their opening eight games.
But their two encounters with fellow strugglers Lydney, due to take place on home turf tomorrow and in Gloucestershire the following Saturday, could have a dramatic effect on their chances of survival.
“I’m not going to make any brave predictions,” said club captain Rowley.
“They are important games for them and us. If we can turn Lydney over that will help our case.”
Since securing promotion from the Wiltshire Division last season, Lechlade have found themselves put to the sword by several of the league’s star performers.
And Rowley admitted: “We’re playing well out of our comfort zone. We haven’t probably got the match winners in our side that some other sides have.
“We’re a good side on our day but we’re finding the step up in class hard to come to terms with.
“We’ll beat sides if we’re on top of our game, but if things don’t go our way we’ll get a hiding.”
Rowley has relinquished his role as on-field skipper for the time being, with Paul Godding taking over.
“I felt it was time to bring some energy and inspiration to the side,” said Rowley.
“We’ll see if he can grab some wins for us.”
The move paid dividends last weekend as Godding led by example to inspire Lechlade to their second win of the season against Rockhampton - hitting a century and taking two wickets in the victory.
Lechlade’s survival cause could be helped by fixtures elsewhere over the next two weekends, with eighth-placed Rockhampton due to face league leaders Biddestone twice.
On paper, seventh-placed Wootton Bassett have a slightly kinder double-header coming up against mid-table Marshfield.
Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the table, Swindon will be looking to bring title battlers Biddestone and Westbury back within range, with a victory against mid-table Stroud at the County Ground tomorrow.
Swindon returned to winning ways last weekend with a thumping victory over Marshfield and will hope to carry on that good form into tomorrow’s clash.
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