Havant's core backed to show strength

Despite Stuart Ransley, Chris Morgan and Harry Gadd all missing the clash at Southampton Road, the skipper is backing his team to complete a league double over their hosts.

Havant are looking for a repeat of the comfortable seven-wicket win over the New Forest side on the opening day of the campaign.

Stone has also revealed his team are keen to make amends for their disappointing defeat against Bashley last time out.

'˜I know the players will want to up their performance after the manner of last weekend's defeat,' said the Havant Park captain.

'˜We have won a lot of games this season and every team has an off-day or two.

'˜The season is a journey and not about one or two games.

'˜While we are missing a few players, we have a strong core at the club.

'˜The players coming in will be from that core and fully capable of stepping up.'

In a busy weekend of action, Havant are also in Twenty20 Cup action on Sunday.

They welcome Totton & Eling to Havant Park.

The home side will start as firm favourites against their division one opponents but Stone knows they cannot take anything for granted.

'˜This is a very winnable game for us,' he said.

'˜But it is just about making sure we concentrate throughout.'

Totton & Eling are the visitors to Waterlooville in division two tomorrow. The Rowlands Avenue hosts are boosted by the return of influential figure Sam Hillman.

He missed the heavy defeat at Basingstoke & North Hants '“ which saw Ville bowled out for only 89.

'˜It will be good to have our leading wicket-taker for the last few seasons back in the side,' said captain Jon Hudson.

'˜He is also a decent middle-order batsman.

'˜The defeat at Basingstoke was a bit of a reality check for our young side.

'˜It was one of those days when we nicked everything through to the keeper.

'˜We are a young team and still learning. I am expecting us to get back on course and return to winning ways.'