CHIPPENHAM: A SPINNERS' web faces Chippenham's opponents this summer as the club bid to win back their place in Stroud and Swindon West of England Premier League Division One.

Off spinner Jason Searle, Chippenham's new captain, and his spin partner Richard Bates took 72 wickets between them last summer as Chippenham fell agonisingly short of winning promotion.

Chippenham finished on equal points with Weston-super-Mare but having played one more game had a slightly inferior points average.

Chippenham have strengthened their spin bowling department still further by signing slow left armer Andy Dawson from Goatacre and Searle plans to go into most league games this summer with three spinners.

"Most batsmen in this league seem to be happier against seam bowling, but not so happy when the pace is taken off the ball," said Searle.

Other newcomers include former Swindon and Wiltshire seamer Mark Watts, who was playing for Cheltenham last year, and opening bowler Dean Miles, who has moved from Purton.

RAF wicketkeeper-batsman Ollie Bailey, who is stationed at Lyneham, has committed himself to the club after playing a handful of matches for Chippenham at the end of last season. He has played Minor Counties cricket for Cambridgeshire.

Searle is also looking to several younger players to make their mark.

All-rounder Adam Croutear, a member of the Chippenham youth set-up, will play his senior cricket at Bristol Road after moving from All Cannings, and teenager Liam Dawson, one of the most promising young players in Wiltshire, will also be one to watch. The progress of the opening batsman and left arm seamer is being carefully monitored by first class county Hampshire.

Searle believes promotion can be won this year, but sees the team's rather fragile batting line-up as the major problem area.

"Last summer we were making modest totals of 150 to 160 and then bowling sides out to win. You can't expect to do that week after week so we need to get bigger totals.

"I think the biggest challenge will come from Downend, who have a very good side, but our aim is to get back to Premier Division One."

Chippenham open their league campaign at home to Warminster tomorrow, start 1.30pm.