CAPTAIN Ali Jaffer claims a bright start to the campaign has fuelled Lymington’s title ambitions ahead of tomorrow’s showdown with defending champions South Wilts.

Lymo top the table after winning four of their opening five Southern Premier League matches and they are back to full strength for their home clash with last season’s top dogs at The Sports Ground.

And after battling through a tough test against St Cross Symondians with a depleted team last weekend, Jaffer believes his squad can last the distance and will flourish where they failed in the timed games last year.

Lymington won just two of their six matches in the longer format during 2012, but the skipper is pinning his hopes on the fitness of his bowlers as they look to challenge for honours this time round.

Jaffer told the Daily Echo: “We have had a taste of success and want more. I am very proud to be involved with a group of players that is so focused and determined, but we must keep our feet on the ground.

“This year, the changeover won’t matter so much to us. We can bowl in both forms of the game because our lads are fit enough to keep bowling so, if anything, it will play into our hands.

“With the team we have, we think we can do well. It is a bit early to say whether we will win it but the next four weeks will have a big say in deciding our fate. We just have to take one game at a time and by the end of June, we will have a much clearer idea of where we are.

“Last week’s win was very important to us because it showed we are not a team who are fully reliant on a few players. The 16 we put together over the winter can all perform at this level. Any defeat can hurt you in the long run.

“Paul McCann came in from the seconds and nearly got to 20 not out at number 10 and both Damien Edwards and wicketkeeper Ed Ellis are keen to chip in with runs.

“It is good to have the quality and experience in there but everyone is taking their chance when it comes and that is a great sign for the team.”

Experienced trio Glyn Treagus, Rob O’Brien and Martin Ford return to the side but bowler Dave Kidner is out.

Previewing the match, Jaffer added: “They (South Wilts) are not playing their best cricket yet but we have a lot of respect for the way they played the game last year.

“We know they will come good as the season progresses.”

Lymington: Henry, Treagus, Grierson, Jaffer, Cowley, Ellis, Metcalfe, Beetham, Freeman, O’Brien, Ford.