CRICKLADE team boss Dave Gee has revealed how his championship-chasing squad warmed up for tomorrow's Dorset & Wilts Two North title clash at Supermarine 2nd with a 'brutal' training match lasting THREE HOURS!

Gee's men will lift the league title with victory at South Marston tomorrow and must start hot favourites having lost just one league game all season.

Ironically, the manager himself may miss the title-winning moment as he is away for the weekend.

But he has no fears about the hunger of his troops as they prepare for their moment of truth, if a training run last Saturday is anything to go by.

Having seen their friendly clash with Tetbury called off, the players held a nine-a-side contest among themselves, producing the sort of commitment that surprised even Gee.

"It was absolutely brutal,'' he admitted. The players were going in harder than I have seen all season and the match lasted about three hours. Hopefully that will continue into this weekend.''

Cricklade can pick from their strongest squad with most of the injury worries having cleared up.

Gee added: "Even though I'll miss the game, I'm hoping the lads do it this weekend. At least then they could have the honour of running out at home in the final match as champions.

"I've told them to think about what that will be like. But we have to get through this game first.''

Meanwhile Marlborough can confirm second spot with victory over Minety 2nd and are waiting to pounce on any Cricklade slip-up.

The hosts won the corresponding fixture 88-3 earlier this season, but vice-captain Mike Banfield admitted: "That flattered us.

"We are looking for another win but are certain it won't be as easy this time.''

WOOTTON Bassett have made three changes as they make the Southern Counties South trip to Bournemouth.

Bassett, who warmed up with a 53-0 demolition of Gloucestershire Premier Division strugglers Cirencester last week, bring Sean Millwaters in at fly-half in place of unavailable Pete Thornton.

Centre Mike Dixon starts and versatile back Jon Spillane switches to full-back.

The second string are at Cirencester. The squad remains unchanged from last week's defeat to Frome.

Brian Smith's third team host Colerne their first game for three weeks.

Carl Britton plays his second game at second row after moving from the wing.

Dorset & Wilts 1st XV Vase runners-up Swindon entertain Bletchley in a second-against-third clash in Berks, Bucks & Oxon One tomorrow.

Bletchley cannot be caught, but Swindon need to consolidate their third place spot to keep them in the frame for possible promotion.

Swindon have been forced into a reshuffle after losing prop Steve Davis and back rows James King and Mark Scarrott for the rest of the season.

Scott Chapman moves into the front row with Jon Parker and Richard Lowe getting call-ups.

Vice captain Paul Daniels said: "Scarrott and King will be a loss, but Parker is a proven first teamer and Lowe is a exciting prospect.''

Fly-half Connal Knott also misses the game, but Andy Minturn makes his return from injury.

IT'S a busy weekend for Chippenham, the first team hosting Wimborne in South West Two East tomorrow.

Earlier in the day, the under 15 and under 16 squads entertain two touring sides, the under 15s playing Thurrock (1pm) after the under 16s tackle Welwyn Garden City (11am).

Chippenham's second string are at local rivals Wootton Bassett and the third team host Malmesbury.

The annual Chippenham Mini Festival takes place on Sunday, starting at 10am.

In the afternoon, the club's Under 18s have the chance to make it through to the final of the Dorset & Wilts Cup if they get past Swanage & Wareham (3pm).