SWINDON College Old Boys director of rugby Martin Lloyd believes his side are developing the ‘all-court’ game required to make an impact at Southern Counties South level.

After bouncing back from an opening-day defeat against Blandford in September with two wins, College’s progress had slowed with back-to-back losses against Trowbridge and Frome in recent weeks, but they ensured a 50 per cent winning record from their six matches to date with a 24-17 success over Walcot last weekend.

College’s mettle is likely to be tested again during Saturday’s trip to in-form Marlborough, but Lloyd is convinced his men are on the right track after their recent wobbles.

“We didn’t play some of our best rugby (against Walcot), but it was good enough,’’ said the Pipers Way chief.

“But we showed signs to me that we are really clicking after a couple of bad results that had gone against us.

“We lost our patterns a little bit during the long stoppage when Declan Lebrosse suffered a neck injury (against Walcot) but after they had taken the lead, we got it back together, which was really reassuring.

“We’ve started to play some nice rugby. This level has shown you cannot just be one-dimensional, you have to have options and I think we’re demonstrating that.

“Last week was always going to be a bit disjointed as we had (Dorset & Wilts U20 player) Owain Hire making his first-team debut at scrum-half, with Connor Tomley at 10 but I think it is coming together.’’

He added: “Marlborough are going very well but we’re looking forward to the game. It’s good to test yourselves against the best sides and Marlborough are certainly that, but we’ll go there and see what we can get.’’

Elsewhere, Royal Wootton Bassett’s superb run - they have won their last three in South West One East - is likely to face a severe examination when second-placed Banbury arrive at Ballards Ash.

Swindon, who have lost their last six games, welcome Stratford-Upon-Avon to Greenbridge Road, while Supermarine, who were hammered by Warminster in Dorset & Wilts One North last weekend, face another difficult encounter as they host another unbeaten side in Bath’s Combe Down.