SWINDON, with pre-season preparations complete, begin life in Gloucester & Wiltshire Division 1 when they entertain Apperley at the County Ground tomorrow.

Skipper Will Nichols will need to instil some discipline into the batting this year if Swindon are to look to bounce back after relegation last season.

Responsibility will fall upon the skipper himself and the Baden twins to provide the early platform, while the middle order is boosted by the availability of Chris Rogers and Matt Baker, to complement young Woodward.

The bowling attack looks strong, with Stinchcombe, Sumner and Nichols providing the firepower.

The talented trio of Willoughby, Connolly and Razzaq will provide the seam support as Swindon look to begin their season in style.

Second XI captain Blaine Norridge takes a strong and experienced side to Gloucestershire in the return fixture.

The explosive Andy Compton leads the batting, with Mason and Parkinson, while the middle order of Reed, Barnett and wicketkeeper Iles will provide the support.

There is also a league debut for Gloucester's under-17 all-rounder Tom Fox. The bowling is led by the skipper and Stuart Cock, while the left-arm pair of Brabazon and Tribbick provide the variation.

Phil Laggett leads the 3rd XI again this season, this time in Wiltshire Division 3 following a second successive promotion.

They open with a trip to Spye Park, and include veteran batsmen Paul Rignall and Dave Pike, making their first appearances in many seasons.

The batting line-up is complemented by Dickinson, Spencer and Al Biggins, while a youthful bowling attack is lead by Barrett, Sawyer and Phipps, with Mike Hayward offering the slow bowling alternative.

A young 4th XI entertain Highworth 2nds at Commonweal School led by Kevin Thompson. Sandip Rooprai and Craig Taylor lead the batting, while Neil Williamson and Dan Willis provide the bowling strength, supported by leg spinner James Parkinson.

Mark Horsington captains the Sunday side at home to Hungerford. The strength of the side certainly lies in the bowling department, with no fewer than eight alternatives.

The batting responsibility will fall upon the skipper, Simon Barnett, and Aaron Dickinson, supported by a number of potential all-rounders.

1st XI (Home) v Apperley 1st XI (Meet 12noon): W.Nichols, J.Baden, P.Baden, M.Baker, D.Connolly, R.Willoughby, C.Rogers, T.Razzaq, P.Stinchcombe, J.Sumner, G.Woodward. Scorer: T.Carter

2nd XI (Away) v Apperley 2nd XI (Meet 12Noon): B.Norridge, A.Compton, R.Mason, N.Parkinson, T.Fox, C.Iles, S.Cock, A.Reed, S.Barnett, A Tribbick, A.Brabazon. Umpire: M.Bannister, Scorer: I.Titcombe.

3rd XI (Away) v Spye Park (Meet 12.30 pm): P.Laggett, A Phipps, M.Hayward, M.Barrett, R.Sawyer, A.Biggins, A.Dickinson, M.Thomas, D.Pike, A.Spencer, P.Rignall.

4th XI (Home) v Highworth 2nds (Meet 1pm): K. Thompson, S. Cole, N. Williamson, M.Williamson, J.Parkinson, S.Rooprai, C.Taylor, D.Thomas, A.Tucker, D.Willis, A N Other.

Sunday 1st XI (Home) v Hungerford (Meet 1pm):M. Horsington, R. Willoughby, A.Tribbick, D.Willis, R.Sawyer, A.Dickinson, S.Gumm, A.Phipps, T.Razzaq, J.Parkinson, S.Barnett

Purton start their league campaign at Goatacre tomorrow. Mark Gardner's team are hoping for a more successful season this year and will be aiming for a solid start in a fixture that has always been keenly contested.

The season's first line up is a balance of experience and potential as the club seeks to let its younger players develop further in the higher levels of the game.

Simon Pugh will look to follow up his fine innings of 53 in last weekend's match with another hard-hitting knock.

The bowling line up of Preddy, Lancaster, Bowler and Miles will need to be accurate on a ground renowned for high scores due to its small playing area.

1st XI (meet Red House 12:30) Gardner, Booth, B Collier, Sansum, Pugh, D Miles, D Dunn, J Miles, T Bowler, Lancaster, Preddy

2nd XI (meet Ground 1pm) N Miles, A Miles, D Allen, S Collier, A Woolford, B Woolford, Deeley, Newman, J Dunn, Suresh, D Atkin