ELLESMERE Port's Phil Ashton has declared his side are 'raring to go' for their showdown with Division One leaders Kingsley at the weekend.
Port's early season promise has been hampered in recent weeks after matches against Bunbury and Aston were called off due to poor weather conditions.
But despite the frustration, the Port skipper is confident they can secure a memorable victory when they travel to face the leaders on Saturday.
Ashton said: 'It has been disappointing to miss games and it has derailed us a little bit because we were up to third in the league and just 10 points off the leaders.
'The weather has been a real sickener but at least we have not lost too much ground on the leaders as a result.
'It is certainly a big game for us and they are a good batting side.
'But we beat them twice last year and so we are all confident and raring to go - weather permitting of course.'
Ashton is philosophical about the adverse weather conditions that have interrupted Port's strong start to the season but he is also aware that a tight fixture schedule with no opportunity to re-arrange matches could come back to haunt his side at the end of the season.
He said: 'Unfortunately cricket is one of those sports in which weather can be a decisive factor.
'Last year we were only 24points off winning the league and when you consider the two matches we had cancelled, it could have made all the difference for us.'
Port's hopes of inflicting a first defeat of the season on Kingsley have been dealt a blow as Ashton revealed they will be without bowler Paul Isaacs.
He said: 'It's a shame Paul is out for such a big game. He has been in great form so far this season and he will no doubt be a big loss as it will mean we will be a bowler short.'
