LECHLADE host Rockhampton in a top-of-the-table clash at the Manor Ground on Saturday in the WEPL Glos/Wilts Division.

Lechlade currently lead the division by 10 points from their rivals with Swindon trailing a further 22 points behind in third place.

Lechlade coach Luke Sellers believes the game is the biggest of the season so far for the riverside club but not one that will necessarily be decisive in settling the outcome of the title race.

“With six games still to play after this weekend’s match a loss for either side would not end their title challenge,” said Sellers.

“But there is no doubt that the winner of Saturday’s game will certainly go into the rest of the season with the upper hand and the momentum in the title race.”

Sellers also feels the game will be a close one as both sides are evenly matched.

“If you look at the batting core of both sides there is not much between us,” said Sellers.

“Brad (Dial), Joe (Breet) and Arran (Dickinson) have scored just short of a 1,000 runs between them so far this season as has Guy Brothwood, Will and Matt Tyler for Rockhampton.

“On the bowling front our strike and first-change bowlers – Michael Craigs, Asanka Vithanage, Willy Nichols and myself – have taken 57 wickets between us so far and Rockhampton’s Will Cartlidge, Chris Perry, Brothwood and Dave McCabe have also taken 57 wickets and the economy rates of both units are very similar.”

If Lechlade have any advantage over their rivals, Sellers believes it is in the depth of quality in the side.

“Outside of their top three batsmen, Rockhampton have only one other batsman that has scored more than 100 runs this season while we have three,” he said.

“On the bowling side we have considerable options open to the captain with eight quality bowlers.”

Sellers also believes that the Lechlade side have several other match winners in the team such as Paul Godding and Ryan Higgins who on their day are always a danger to the opposition with the bat or the ball.

He added: “We also have Freddie Martin now available for the rest of the season and with Oli Thornley recently finding some form we bat to 11 and we are all capable of scoring quickly and big.” Lechlade make two changes to last week’s winning side as Ali Killham makes way for the returning Nichols and Sam Burdock will retake the keeper’s gloves as he has now fully recovered from a thumb injury sustained at Tewkesbury a fortnight ago.