RUGBY: Bassett to step up after reshuffle (From Swindon Advertiser)

RUGBY: Bassett to step up after reshuffle

9:00am Saturday 16th May 2009 in

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VICE-CAPTAIN Jon Clarke believes Wootton Bassett can grab their shot at the bigger stage with both hands after three years of promotion agony were ended by rugby’s administrators, writes OWEN HOULIHAN.

Bassett, heartbroken when an 18-15 defeat to Marlow last month condemned them to a third straight promotion play-off defeat, were handed their ticket up following a wholesale restructuring of the league system throughout England.

The Stoneover Lane men step into a new South West One East division, comprising the likes of old foes Trowbridge, Oakmedians and Walcot, as well as Dorset & Wilts giants Salisbury and Swanage & Wareham, and last season’s nemesis Marlow.

It leaves them just one below the reshaped National Three South West section but while Clarke has no doubts Bassett’s new challenge will be formidable, he believes they have the ability to hold their own.

“It would have been nice for us to get that play-off monkey off our backs, but if you look at the last three years, our consistency in finishing second has earned us the right to go up,’’ said Clarke.

“I think we’re good enough to compete at that level. We have the pack to get the job done and it’s what we’ve been aiming for.”

Bassett will have four more league games this season with South West One East comprising of 14, rather than the 12 sides they were used to at Southern Counties South level.

They will start their season on September 5, a week ahead of other local sides, who have emerged unscathed from the reshuffle.

Swindon and Swindon College Old Boys maintain their places in Southern Counties North and the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier Division respectively.