SWINDON skipper Liam Tucker reckons that a third-place finish would represent an ‘amazing’ first campaign back in the Glos/Wilts Division for his side.

The County Ground men lost by 61 runs at title favourites Lechlade last weekend, effectively ending their outside chance of challenging for top spot in the third tier of the West of England Premier League.

But with Swindon still in with a shout of finishing as runners-up in their first season since getting promoted back from the Wiltshire Division, Tucker has labelled his team’s summer a roaring success.

Swindon currently sit third in the table, 22 points behind Rockhampton, who they welcome to the County Ground in their final home game of the season on August 23.

“I think that we were beaten by the better side on the day against Lechlade but it was a close game and it’s been like that in both matches we’ve played against them this season,” said Tucker.

“To be honest, we were never really thinking about catching Lechlade or Rockhampton and if we were to finish third, that would be an absolutely amazing achievement for us in our first season back in this league.

“If someone had offered us third in the table with three games to go, we definitely would have bit their arm off.

“All we’ve done is take every game as it comes and concentrated on trying to get the best result we can.

“Whatever happens, we’re going to be really happy with the season that we’ve had.”

Swindon make the 33-mile trip to county rivals Westbury this weekend and Tucker is warning that Saturday’s clash will not be as easy as the league table suggests.

Westbury, who find themselves second-from-bottom, have only won three times this season.

Tucker said: “Westbury are very much in a false position and it’s going to be a tough game down there because they’re scrapping for their lives.

“A lot of people thought that they’d do a lot better than they have done this year and we know that we’re going to have perform down there if we want to come away with the win.”

Tucker will hand a first team debut to Wiltshire U17 player Tom Codling, who has shone for Swindon’s 2nd XI this season, at Westbury.

“Tom’s debut probably should have come before now but he’ll get his opportunity this weekend and will probably feature in the last three games of the season,” said the Swindon skipper.

Don’t miss our roundup of the weekend’s cricket in Grass Roots on Monday