Clevedon are on the verge of becoming one of the region's leading club sides.

That's the view of their opening batsman John Bachelor, who has seen the club transformed by the arrival of former Gloucestershire player Tim Hancock and the occasional appearance from ex-England and Somerset fast bowler Andy Caddick.

With the Somerset side set for three 'cup finals' in their remaining three matches, leaders Clevedon know the Bristol & Somerset title will be won or lost in the next three weeks.

They face title rivals Midsomer Norton, and Ashcott & Shapwick, in their next two fixtures before closing the campaign against mid-table Stapleton.

Vice-captain Bachelor said: "We have a very big end to the season. We have three cup finals and if we can win all of them we will be promoted. It is all in our hands.

"I would like to think we would consolidate if we went up to Premier Two. We have a young side and a few players in the seconds are two or three years short of becoming first-team regulars. But I think, in three or four years, we can become a very strong team.

"Matthew Carpenter is only 15 but this year I have watched him improve beyond all recognition – I wouldn't be surprised he if became a first-class level player.

"He has all the potential. He is 6ft 3ins and bowls very well. He has just been selected for the West of England representative side."

Hancock, 37, joined Clevedon at the start of the summer and has cracked 475 runs at an average of 59.38.

He has also taken 15 wickets, with a best of 7-36 against Stapleton.

And Bachelor remains confident Hancock, nicknamed Herby, will still be with the Somerset side in 2010.

He added: "Herby has been brilliant. He has been the ultimate professional. He is fit as a butcher's dog.

"I open the batting with him. It has been an eye-opener for me. He is happy to chat with you, assess your game and then point you in the right direction.

"He is also our first-change bowler. He bowls an away-swinger. He missed last weekend's match but he is back for the rest of the season. That's a real bonus. But we are pretty certain we have nailed him to play for us next year."

Bachelor is less sure of a few more cameo appearances from Caddick, who earlier this month announced he is retiring from all forms of cricket at the end of the season.

The New Zealand-born 40-year-old played two matches for Clevedon this summer as he tried to build up his fitness following a back injury.

And he didn't show any signs of taking things easy in the second match when claiming the then best bowling figures in the West of England Premier League with 8-34 against Ashcott & Shapwick.

"We're not too sure about Andy Caddick coming to us next year," added Bachelor.

"I have read that he is retiring from all forms of cricket. I think he really enjoyed it when he came here earlier this season.

"He would walk into any Premier League side."