WILTSHIRE men will be looking to put last year’s Middleton Cup disappointment firmly behind them when they begin their 2013 campaign on June 1.

The county side were beaten in the final by Norfolk last year, but have been drawn into a four-team group this season alongside Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire, with only the group winners progressing to the last eight.

Wiltshire’s opening game is away to Gloucestershire this afternoon at Barnwood BC in Gloucester, following trials which were held two weeks ago at Wootton Bassett.

“We had an excellent trial at Wootton Bassett,” said Dave Snell, who only became team manager last season.

“All the players played to a good standard hence the selectors had to make some difficult decisions in naming the team to face Gloucestershire.

“However, the selectors and myself are confident we can get off to a good start with a strong well balanced side.”

The team they have chosen contains 14 local players - seven from both Westlecot and Wootton Bassett, four from Holt, Spencer Moulton have three representatives, Chippenham Town have two and Amesbury one.

It also shows six changes to the one that lost narrowly in the final at Worthing to Norfolk last year.

In comes Spencer Moulton’s England international Graham Shadwell who was ruled out of both the 2012 Middleton Cup semi-final and final as it clashed with the mixed pairs competition at Worthing.

TEAM Rink 1: Nick Revell (Amesbury), Wayne Snook, Ben Gadd (both Holt) & Stephen Snell (Wootton Bassett). Rink 2: Gary Jackson (Westlecot), Billy McCay (Chippenham Town), Steve Wiltshire & Graham Shadwell (both Spencer Moulton). Rink 3: Wayne Simmonds (Holt), Chris Cheesley (WB), Dave Godwin (Chip T) & Russell Francis (SM). Rink 4: Paul Kistle (W’lecot), Tom Walkley (WB), Graham Hatherall & Mel Biggs (both W’lecot). Rink 5: Kyle Anderson (WB), Keith Bailey (Holt), Ian Jefferies & Mike Jackson (both W’lecot). Rink 6: Kevin Embling (W’lecot), James Nobbs, Gary Morphet & Neil Smith (all WB).

Reserves: Paul Macdonald (Chip T), Tom Warner, Jordan Moody (both Amesbury) & Kevin Carter (Highworth).

Other squad members: Jamie Titcombe, Paul Stokes, Craig Hatherall (all W’lecot) & Craig Morphet (H’worth).