Bristol West Indians are determined that a 20-point deduction will not halt their charge back to Premier One this summer.

The Windies' first team were penalised after the second team were unable to fulfil a fixture at Taunton St Andrews last year.

But despite being docked points, the Whitehall outfit have won both their opening matches against Keynsham and Chippenham and are third from bottom already.

"It has spurred us on," said secretary Patrick Morrison.

"We have had various player and management meetings about this. The idea was to make up these points as quickly as possible and get three or four wins under our belt.

"We have generally gone along with that idea by winning our first two matches quite convincingly."

Speaking about the nature of the points deduction, Morrison added: "It was because of a miscommunication.

"The second team needed four or five players from the third team, who were playing in Yate.

"The second team takes priority, but by the time the message got through it was too late. We also had to pay Taunton St Andrews some compensation for not travelling."

The Windies were all set for promotion and possibly the Premier Two title last year had it not been for a horrendous end to the summer.

They had former Gloucestershire fast bowler Carl Greenidge playing for them and their overseas player Jamie Trenchfield, a West Indians Under-19 international, hitting the runs.

Trenchfield was the third best batsman in the division on 529 runs behind Trowbridge's Assad Fudadin (862) and Nick Willis-Stovold of Thornbury (562).

Morrison added: "It was very much so a mixed season. We should have won the division, but we didn't take some vital catches.

"We should have won the league easily. I know I am saying this – but other sides also admitted we were the best team they played against.

"We had Carl Greenidge and Jamie Trenchfield. We were by far the best team in the league."

But the Windies have not looked back this summer.

Under new captain Jerome Burton, the club have beaten Keynsham by a wicket and then recorded a comfortable six-wicket success against Chippenham.

Burton took 4-40 against Chippenham with Morrison's son Ashur hitting half centuries in both matches. James Pearson also hit a fifty against Chippenham.

"We have had two good wins so far," added Morrison.

"We can put that down to the bowling. We have restricted the opposition to less than 200 runs (Chippenham made 157 and Keynsham hit 159). The batsmen have gone in and done their job quite convincingly."

Morrison is thrilled with Burton, who has also claimed seven wickets so far this year.

He added: added: "I wouldn't say we were ill-disciplined, but Jerome has brought a focus and togetherness.

"A lot of our good start is down to Jerome's captaincy. He is also leading from the front.

"We are not having an overseas player this year due to the immigration laws. We are using home grown players – and this has worked pretty well so far."