Bashley captain Andy Neal believes the close-knit nature of his team is the key factor behind their impressive start to the season.

The New Forest outfit lead the SPL Division One standings after claiming four wins from their opening five matches, a sequence which includes last week’s 131-run thumping of Totton and Eling.

Bashley’s credentials are likely to come in for a stern test tomorrow when they visit second-placed Havant in a top-of-the-table showdown.

Havant were the dominant force in the league during the past decade and claimed the title on no fewer than five occasions in the noughties, while Bashley’s best finish in that time was as runners-up in 2006.

But Neal thinks Bashley’s team spirit will stand them in good stead. He told the Echo: “All the lads get on well. The majority of the team has been together for 10 or 15 years so we are a really tight unit and that gets us through a lot of games.”

Previewing the trip to Havant, Neal added: “They have lost a few players but they are second in the league, so they are doing something right.

“Every game is a test, the league is very even now and anyone can beat anyone.”

Bash have named an unchanged line-up for the clash.

Bashley: Neal, Sexton, Thurgood, Morris, Friedman, Baker, S Lilley, Maher, J Lilley, R Grierson, Nash.

• Elsewhere in the top flight, reigning champions Bournemouth will be hoping to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat against Hampshire Academy when they travel to Totton and Eling.

Depleted Lymington, victors over Alton in their previous outing, face a trip to South Wilts. They will have to make do without unavailable trio Christian Pain, Damian Shirazi and Bryn Darbyshire, as well as injured Simon Beetham.

Bournemouth: Watkins, N Park, J Park, Evans, House, C Ridley, S Ridley, Metcalfe, Denham, Porter, Staniford.

Lymington: (probable) Treagus, Cowley, Kelly, Lammiman, Freeman, Khan, Grierson, Elliott, Thacker, Harvey, Hunt.

• In Division Two, lowly New Milton visit Paultons and Bournemouth seconds host Hambledon.

New Milton: (probable) Wheeler, Hill, Adlem, Linge, L Beck, R Beck, Loader, Rose, Waller, Gargaro, Clark.

Bournemouth II: Kennedy, Morrey, Scott, J Coombs, Hurley, Allum, Patel, Smith, Spicer, Garlick, R Coombs.