DEVON skipper Bob Dawson believes this season's Western Division title race could be one of the closest for years.

The Minor Counties Championship campaign resumes at Shifnal tomorrow, when Devon take on third-placed Shropshire. Devon are fifth after two rounds of completed matches, which have proved inconclusive in highlighting the likely title contenders.

Cheshire are top on 36 points, with Cornwall, Shropshire, Dorset then Devon trailing behind them. The gap between Cheshire and Devon is 14 points, which is pretty modest when there are four games to play and 24 points available in each.

"What's unusual this season is that no one has won both their opening games so everyone is bunched together," said Dawson. "Normally, a couple of counties get off to good starts and one of them will go on to win four or five games and take the division. It looks a bit more even this year, and I can see the division being won by a team with three wins and three good draws.

"We have taken good points from our first two draws and I wouldn't be that worried if we drew against Shropshire and came out of it with 11 or 12 points. We would have to win the next three games, but that could be enough this season.

"What I would not want to happen is for us to lose to Shropshire and let them get too far ahead. Ideally we will beat them, which is what we will set out to do."

Devon's 12 shows a number of changes to the one which drew with Dorset two weeks ago. Early-order batsman James Burke and seamer Adam Dibble are both on summer contracts with Somerset, who have claimed them for a game against Gloucestershire in Bristol.

Seb Benton, the Paignton opener who was part of the Cardiff UCCE team that beat Leeds-Bradford at Lord's in the MCC Universities Cup final on Monday, comes in for his debut.

Benton will open, which means no place for Anthony Griffiths, who has filled the problem opening slot for the first two games. Dibble's place in the 12 goes to Sidmouth club-mate Josh Bess, who is more batsman than bowler.

The bowling vacancy is filled by another Sidmouth player, Scott Barlow. Devon are travelling with an extra player, as Rob Holman has returned after missing the Dorset match. Who drops out looks like a straight fight between seamer Barlow and spinner Gary Chappell.

Shropshire could be without dual-registered seamer Jack Shantry, who has a summer contact with Worcestershire. Wicketkeeper Matt Tilt is unavailable, which means a call-up for Anthony Parker.

Devon (from): S R Benton (Paignton), D J Bowser (North Devon), R I Dawson (Budleigh Salterton, capt), G R Chappell (Bradninch), R J Holman (Weston), A W P Allen, I E Bishop (both Budleigh Salterton), T S Anning, D F Lye (both Exmouth), S Barlow (Sidmouth), C L Metters (South Devon CC), J J Bess (Sidmouth).