Nationwide House captain Joe Perkins is hoping his side continue their year-on-year improvement with a best-ever finish in the WEPL Wiltshire Division this term.

Nationwide ended 2010 in seventh spot in the division, only nine-10ths of a point behind the average of fifth-placed Marlborough.

And with a rejuvenated squad bolstered by the return of several key players, Perkins believes the Pipers Way team have a great shot of staying competitive with the top sides in the division.

“Last year we were five points off fifth place which is tremendous for a club this size and if we get anywhere near there this year we’ll have done really well again,” said Perkins.

“Our aims for the season are as they usually are.

“We’ll do our best and we want to consolidate.

“Everyone’s keen to go this season and we hope it’s going to be our best ever season again, following on from last year.”

Stuart Archer is back at Pipers Way after a spell with Swindon, while the recovery of Mark Flay from injury has been branded by Perkins as ‘as good as a new signing’.

Flay, who only featured twice for Nationwide last season, will make up one part of a very brotherly top order.

The opening bat will be accompanied by brother Kevin, while Nick and Jon Clarke add temperament and aggression in equal measure.

Furthermore, Perkins has been buoyed by news Gareth Davies and Chris Cousens, useful middle-order bats and effective part-time bowlers, are expected to be available throughout 2011. And quick-hands keeper Luke Bradley-Leach is set to enjoy his first full season with the club since arriving from Wootton Bassett last July.

All that’s needed now for Nationwide is a solid start, something Perkins craves more than anything.

“Fingers crossed we have a decent start to this season,” he said.

“Last year we had Winsley which was ruined by rain, then Lechlade was rain-affected, so we’re hoping we can hit the ground running this season.

“We want to have some good competitive games in May because we’ve slipped up in the past.”

With Bassett dropping into the Wiltshire Division and Goatacre moving on up the English cricketing pyramid, the majority of sides remaining in Nationwide’s league are of an increasingly similar standard.

And Perkins expects a close and competitive four months ahead.

“I think the overall quality of the league will be as strong, if not stronger than ever,” he said.

“All the teams will be very competitive and it should be quite level all-round.”