Malden Wanderers captain Giles Puckle is confident his team can compete in the Premier Division after securing promotion from Division One with victory at struggling Cobham Avorians on Saturday.

Wanderers extended their unbeaten run to 14 matches in spectacular fashion as they hammered the bottom club by 214-runs to claim a swift return to the top flight after last season’s relegation.

Puckle’s men needed just a point from the weekend’s clash, but claimed all 10 after bowling out the hosts for just 99 runs having earlier posted 313 for seven.

The Cambridge Avenue skipper revealed his team had no doubts about securing promotion and believes they can carry their winning form into 2012.

“We knew that we only needed one point from the final three games and always believed we could do it,” he said.

“The match was affected by rain, but we set our targets and stuck to them well.

“We’ve got quality players and a good squad here, so I’ve got no doubts we can compete with the big teams next season.

“It would be nice to carry some momentum through and go 16 games unbeaten, but we’ve done the important job.”

And the Epsom-born all-rounder believes Malden’s slow start to the season – which saw them lose their opening two league games – gave them the wake up call they needed. “It was most probably a hangover from getting relegated and a lack of match practice, but we put it behind us, regrouped and it’s proved pivotal,” he added.

Wanderers host Purley this weekend.