Chipping Campden head to leaders Rockhampton on Saturday looking to spring an upset in Division One of the Gloucestershire County League.

The early pace-setters have won all five of their games in the 10-strong division after losing their place in the Gloucestershire Division of the West of England Premier League at the end of the previous campaign.

Chipping Campden, meanwhile, are down in eighth, but they are just 12 points off second-placed Aston Ingham and confidence is high after their eight-wicket win over Apperley last weekend.

That was their second victory of the campaign and captain Sam Nicholls, who is in his third season as skipper, said: “We’re trying to build some momentum.”

And the club have certainly enjoyed plenty of momentum since moving across to the County League from the Cotswold Hills League five seasons ago.

“We started off in Division Three so we have been promoted twice,” said Nicholls, who has just turned 27.

The second promotion came in Nicholls’ first season as captain and they secured their position in the top flight for 2023 on the final day of last season.

“That was really good for us,” said Nicholls, an opening batsman. “Now we want to establish ourselves in the division and the aim is to push on up the pyramid.

“Potentially we’d like to get into the WEPL, now that’s a lovely thought.”

Nicholls is Chipping Campden born and bred and has come through the club’s youth set-up alongside the Groves brothers, Sam and Jack, who are also first-team regulars.

The Groves boys shared six wickets on Saturday as bottom-of-the-table Apperley were skittled for 121 in 31.1 overs after winning the toss.

Sam Groves finished with 3-26, while his brother took 3-17, and Nicholls said: “Sam is in mighty form with the ball, he’s a genuine opening new ball bowler.”

Nicholls then made 47 from 60 balls as Chipping Campden made light work of Apperley’s target, knocking off the runs with more than 23 overs to spare.

Now all eyes are on Rockhampton, with Nicholls admitting: “They will be a tough challenge. But if I can get some runs along with the top five we can give them a game.”

Chipping Campden’s other league win came on the opening day against Poulton, while Rockhampton, who have a 32-point lead over their closest rivals, have enjoyed wins against Westbury-on-Severn, Aston Ingham, Langford, Poulton and Apperley.