CHIPPENHAM'S new captain Jason Searle plans to have the opposition in a spin this summer.

Off spinner Searle and his spin partner Richard Bates took 72 wickets between them last summer as Chippenham fell agonisingly short of reclaiming their place in the Stroud and Swindon West of England Premier League Division One.

Chippenham finished on equal points with Weston-super-Mare but having played one more game had a slightly inferior points average and it was the seasiders who won promotion.

Chippenham have strenghened 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. "I took 38 wickets last season and Richard another 34 and with Andy in the team we will have a third spin option."

Seam bowling will be in the hands of all-rounder Paul Bates. Other newcomers include former Swindon and Wiltshire seamer Mark Watts, who played 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 at the end of last season. He has played Minor Counties cricket for Cambridgeshire and is expected to challenge Corsham's Neil Shardlow in the Wilthire side this summer.

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

All-rounder Adam Croutear, a Chippenham youth player, will play his senior cricket at Bristol Road after moving from All Cannings, and teenager Liam Dawson, one of the most promsing 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. "If the batsmen can put enough runs on the board, I'm confident we have the bowlers to win matches," he said.

"Last summer we were making modest totals of 150 to 160 and then bowing 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 with a home derby match against Warminster on Saturday.