LITTLE Lever skipper Josh Gent is confident his side can win the Association Division title in this season's Bolton Cricket League campaign.

The Victory Road side opened up the campaign with a five-wicket triumph at Adlington last weekend and face another tough test against relegated Eagley tomorrow.

Gent admits some may doubt his confidence so early into the new season but he says winning is the name of the game and believes a positive mindset is the best way to succeed.

He told The Bolton News: "I said before the start of the season I believed we could win the title and I stick by that.

"Some may think it is over-confidence but I think if you play sport you have to target winning – that is what you want.

"I am lucky enough to have won the championship [Little Lever were title winners in 2013] and know what it takes.

"It is not always about having the best individuals on top week in, week out – it is about a team of 11 all playing for each other.

"We have that here – the vibe around the place this season is great and hopefully that can help us achieve big things."

Gent's side made light work of Adlington last weekend with Curtis Anderton taking 6-17 from 15 overs to help skittle the hosts out for just 83 before Little Lever reached 84-5.

And the side will be boosted even further this weekend with the arrival of overseas amateur, South African Ruan van der Merwe.

The all-rounder is set to go straight into the side for the visit of Eagley tomorrow.

Gent added: "Our overseas amateur landed on Thursday lunchtime and he will go straight in at the deep end.

"He is a young all-rounder who is primarily a bowler who has played for South Africa Old Boys.

"I think he will be a good addition and when you add that to players like Curtis who got us off to a good start at Adlington, we have a good team.

"It was good to get a win in the first game – that's what you always aim for, though we were slightly disappointed not to have got seven points after a lapse in concentration.

"But we are looking to build on it against Eagley.

"It won't be easy as they have come down from the Premiership and we have Heaton next week who did likewise.

"But it's better for me to get the tough games out of the way early before players go away on holidays.

"Those teams will be stronger sides this year but we can put a marker down by getting good results against them."

The feelgood factor around the club is evident.

Not only has Van der Merwe joined the ranks but Gent says professional, Adil Nisar, has been more involved at the club.

And the Victory Road base has seen facilities upgraded as well, including an electronic scoreboard, which Gent admits has added to the positive mood.

"The upgrades have been a massive plus for us," he said.

"We have had a lot of work done but it's been worth it.

"Now it's up to us to do the business out in the middle."

Gent will hope that business gets done quickly tomorrow as he hopes for a Little Lever win double.

After the Eagley clash, the captain will be heading to the Victoria Warehouse in Manchester to support local boxer Jack Cullen – nicknamed Little Lever Meat Cleaver – in his latest bout.

Gent added: "I'm hoping the cricket gets done early and then we are heading to watch Jack – we have a table booked there.

"Hopefully it can be a winning Saturday for Little Lever."