THERE will be mixed feelings for Russell Rowe at South Wilts on Tuesday as he leads his Wiltshire side out for their C&G Trophy first round tie against Kent.

The Wiltshire captain will be bursting with pride at captaining his county at the home of his league club, but also knows it could be the last time they ever face first class opposition.

It was revealed two months ago that the C&G Trophy would be reformatted, with all minor counties being banished from the competition as it takes the form of a league basis with just first class sides.

Wiltshire narrowly lost to Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge in the first round last year. Rowe is now reflecting on the end of a prestigious competition for minor counties.

He said: "It looks like it could be the end of it for ever for teams like us and that is obviously a major disappointment.

"In the past the C&G Trophy has been cricket's equivalent to the FA Cup in football and it has always been the aim to qualify for the first round.

"Last season was the first time we had faced first class opposition since 1993 and it is a big shame that Tuesday's match against Kent could be the last time."

Rowe is hoping for a big crowd to turn out for the tie as they look to create an upset and defeat Kent's glittering array of talent.

Among the visitors' ranks should be England batsmen Robert Key, wicketkeeper Geraint Jones and seamer Martin Saggers. South African's Martin Van Jaarsveld and Andrew Hall are also expected to feature.

Rowe said: "Playing at South Wilts will make it an extra special day and it will be a very proud moment for me. Obviously we are massive underdogs and it will just be a great experience to play against the players they have got.

"We will go into it trying to cause an upset. We did ourselves proud at Notts last season and hopefully we can give Kent a few scares as well."

Rowe is entering his third season as Wiltshire captain and believes their aim this season has to be to win the Minor Counties Championship. He said: "Usually you are just looking for enough points to qualify for a place in the first round of the C&G Trophy but obviously that has all changed now.

"There is no reward for a top five finish now so we will have to go all out to win the championship.

"Perhaps we can take a few more risks and be a bit more gung-ho knowing there is not a game against first class opposition being jeopardised."

Wiltshire travel to Berkshire on Sunday for a friendly as the players look to get some much-needed match practice.

Rowe said: "It will be quite strange because some of our players will hardly have played at all. It will be good if the weather holds up and we get out there and have a decent match."