SWINDON Wildcats head coach Aaron Nell is predicting a much more competitive NIHL South One season in 2018-19 when it gets under way in the autumn.

The Cats discovered their fixture schedule for the new campaign last week, and will open up their league programme with a double-header against Invicta Dynamos on the first weekend in October.

Prior to that, Swindon play four pre-season friendlies, starting on Saturday, September 1, and then have six fixtures in the Autumn Trophy.

Their first competitive matches of the new campaign come in that competition, at home and away to Hull Pirates on September 15 and 16.

Swindon finished third in the NIHL South One table last season, eight points adrift of winners Basingstoke Bison but 11 clear of London Raiders in fourth.

The Cats, Basingstoke and second-placed Peterborough Phantoms were all members of the English Premier League prior to joining the NIHL after that league was dissolved at the end of the 2016-17 season.

Although the trio’s quality was a cut above last term, Nell expects all eight teams in the league to be much closer matched this time around.

“I think it will be much more even this season,” said Nell.

“I think all the teams have improved, especially the ones in the bottom half of the table. It is going to be a tough season.

“Last season, Basingstoke won the league with only four losses out of 32 games, but I can’t see that happening again.

“I think there are going to be a lot more varied results this season and it is going to be a lot tighter.

“It is an exciting time. It is going to be here really quickly and I know the players are looking forward to it and can’t wait to get started.”

Swindon begin preparations for the new season with home and away friendlies against Bracknell Bees on the first weekend in September.

Nell says his side are diving in at the deep end against a fancied Bees side and believes that is the best way to get the Swindon players up to speed.

“We want to play a certain way and the two weeks of pre-season are going to be key for us,” said Nell, whose side also face a friendly double-header against Streatham IHC.

“I think Bracknell are going to be the favourites to win the league. They have got a great coach and have signed a really good team with a lot of depth.

“It is going to be good to see where we are against them right at the start, and then Streatham are a team who have really improved over the summer.

“Again, they are well-coached and they work extremely. It is going to be four good games for us to get ready for the season.”