NATIONWIDE House vice-captain David Coates feels his side are playing “better cricket than last season”, despite the fact the works team sit bottom of the WEPL Wiltshire Division after three matches of the campaign.

House face table-topping Marshfield at Pipers Way this weekend minus Ant Pettifer, who is suffering from a back injury, and though it may be a daunting task, Coates is confident the club’s first win of the term is just around the corner.

“I saw plenty of improvement last week and with a couple of changes again this week, we will be looking to change the outcome at the end of the match,” he said.

“We are certainly playing better cricket than last season so it’s a matter of time before we get a bit of luck and notch our first victory. The main thing is, we are more competitive than last year and the guys are enjoying their cricket which is what we give up our Saturdays for.

“A few changes again this week see us bring in the all-round abilities of John Reivers and Ravi Samant for their first run-outs of the season.

“We are missing Ant Pettifer this week unfortunately due to a small niggle in his back but he should be back with us next week for the clash away to Bedwyn, which is always a favourite fixture of the works team.”