UNBEATEN Swindon College Old Boys have no intention of taking their foot off the gas at the top of the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier Division, but director of rugby Martin Lloyd is not wasting the opportunity for some forward planning.

With a 15-point lead ahead of tomorrow’s home clash against Slough, College look set fair for a quick return to Southern Counties level.

While recognising that the current job still needs finishing in the second half of the campaign, Lloyd insists steps are being taken to ensure his men are fully prepared to ascend back up for next season.

“The reality is, there is a big gap between the two leagues and harder teams to play against,’’ said Lloyd.

“We’ve already started working on certain things in training, which we think might benefit us if we go up.

“It would be wrong to concentrate just on this league and, to that end, we’ve recruited well and are bringing some really good players through into the teams.

“We’re trying to improve standards at the club and we’ve changed the style of play a little bit. It’s about the small skills and the guys knowing what their jobs are.

“We’re hoping that, if we do get promoted, we’ll be in a better place. The guys have all bought into it.’’ Mid-table Slough arrive with four wins from nine so far, but Lloyd is still wary of the threat they could pose.

“They are going well and won the county Vase equivalent of the (Dorset & Wilts) competition we won (last week),’’ he added.

“They seem to be a bit of a strange team with results and are a strong side at home, although I don’t know if that is the same away from home.’’ College have handed Richard White an immediate four-week suspension following his sending off at Risborough last Saturday.