CHARD will be looking to throw out the form book when they meet Ilminster for the third time this season at Zembard Lane tomorrow (12.30pm).

Ilminster have won both previous outings – in the West of England league and the Baker Cup – and are warm favourites to complete a treble in the return league fixture.

But Chard director of cricket Dave Gudge believes victory is in their reach, despite a morale-sapping 303 run defeat by Potterne last weekend.

Gudge said: “We just have to put that behind us and stick to our game plan.

“We need to play with a bit more patience and application and than we have in previous games and not get too carried away about the occasion.

“We also need our more experienced players to come to the party and lead the way.”

Chard may be without keeper Nathan Warren for the game after he suffered a suspected fractured thumb against Potterne and was replaced by Gudge for the last few overs.

Ilminster skipper Sam Spurway leads his side into the game on the back of some good results which have pushed his side up to fourth in the table but is not making any predictions.

He said: “We have been in good form and have beaten Chard in both the league and the Baker Cup but we can’t take anything for granted.

“Form can easily go out the window in derby games like this so we’ll have to make sure we play to our best.

“Chard suffered a heavy defeat at the weekend but that can work two ways. Either it can knock all the confidence out of them or they could just get it out of their system and come at us all guns blazing.

“Either way we’re expecting another good game and we should be bringing plenty of supporters with us so there should be a great atmosphere.”

Ilminster, who have no injury worries ahead of the big match, could put real pressure on the Premier 2 leaders but for the moment Spurway is not thinking about promotion.

“I know it’s a cliche but we’re taking one game at a time and see what happens from there.”