SWINDON captain Adam Westall is not expecting an easy ride this weekend despite his side facing doomed local rivals Devizes.

The Greenbridge Road outfit have very little left to play for this season, currently sitting fifth in South West One East and well-shy of the top two.

With third-placed Windsor nine points in front of Swindon and playing bottom side Bletchley, even a bonus point win for Westall and his teammates gives them little hope of climbing higher than fourth.

Devizes are unlikely to be in the league next season and in the reverse fixture Swindon ran out 35-7 winners. However based on experience from last season Westall knows not to take the mid-Wiltshire side too lightly.

“This time last year we went to them and they were in a similar position, though maybe they were around us in the table, and they absolutely thrashed us,” said Westall.

“I think they’ve actually been relegated from the league, but they are local lads that we know of and are very good side.

“(Devizes coach) John Kimberley I know very well from when he was my coach back in the day and he’s a very good coach. He’ll be preparing his team to finish the season well and be building now for the start of next season already.

“They’ll be wanting to lay down markers now for next season to build momentum into next year.

“We won’t be taking it lightly by any means and it’s going to be a tough day.”

Swindon will have had a two-week break by the time they take to the field on Saturday, but prior to their defeat against Chippenham a fortnight ago they had been in good form.

Despite the break, the local derby element of the game and the lessons learned from the success at Devizes earlier in the season will ensure Swindon are fired-up come kick-off.

“I think everyone likes derby matches we’re all essentially vying for county spots,” added Westall.

“They were a side that took a long time to break down. We didn’t actually put them down until the last 10 minutes where we ran amok and probably scored 20/25 points.

“The result wasn’t really a fair reflection of how they played.

“For us now it’s about trying to take our brand of rugby and put it out there. Hopefully it’s dry and we can get a bit of ball.

“We’ve got a good side, I think we’re at full fitness apart from a couple of loads away on a stag do, so we’re feeling confident.”

All the other local rugby sides play their final games of the season on Saturday, April 18.