PAUL Swindlehurst believes the ‘trust’ between defencemen at Swindon will serve them well in the upcoming English Premier League campaign.

The Link Centre side finished the 2011/12 regular season strongly, with the D-men playing no small part in that.

And with Joe Baird back to fitness, 19-year-old Swindlehurst feels Wildcats’ rearguard can only get better in the new season.

“We had a really good year last year considering we had two really big injuries, Bairdy being out with his ankle and (Nick) Compton being out with his concussion,” said Swindlehurst.

“The four D - me, Jan (Melichar), Moorsy (Shane Moore) and Stevie (Whitfield) all stepped up and did well. We’ve not changed the D because we all trust each other and we all know where we’re going to be.

“We all speak to each other and we all get along - there’s no dividing the defence. With Bairdy being back, that will lift the D up again.

“We know where people like to play and what their moves are, you just trust the person and know that when you turn round they are going to be there.

“Or if you shoot up the ice, you know that someone’s going to drop back.

“Me and Moorsy had a really good penalty kill last year, just because we knew where people were and we always spoke to each other.”

Meanwhile last night at the Link Centre, Swindon Wildcats contested their second challenge match of their pre-season campaign against Telford Tigers.

The first period finished 1-1 before a goal-packed second saw Telford edge into the final session 5-4 ahead.

Both sides added a goal each in the third period as visiting Telford held on for victory.