WOOTTON Bassett take on Salisbury in South West 1 East tomorrow still searching for an elusive first win of the campaign.

Despite the frustrating defeat to Bletchley last time out, a game which Bassett dominated without finding the points to seal victory, the Stoneover Lane side remain buoyant - a sentiment echoed in the words of fly-half David Martin.

“It was encouraging that we were able to sustain such a lasting period of pressure last week,” he said.

“We put up some resilient defence ourselves as well and it was just a lack of composure where it mattered that prevented us from finding that scoring pass.

“There was a bit of panic that crept in more than anything.

“That came down to a lack of experience.”

This weekend’s contest gives Bassett yet another opportunity to register their first points of the season against an opposition embroidered in turmoil at present.

“They’re a young side who have just lost their coach,” explained Martin.

“It should be a good time to catch them on the hop.

“We need to capitalise where we can, build on last week and be more cut-throat up front.”

“We know that they are going to be physical and run the ball around a lot.

“But we have to compensate for that.”

A trend developing in Bassett’s matches this season has been a lack of proficiency in the final third, and Martin insists that the squad are well aware of their shortcomings ahead of tomorrow’s encounter.

“We have to believe that we can push things.,” he said.

“We have to make this pressure count.

“We need to be prepared to take more points away from our attacks.”

Bassett have shown decen t form since their miserable capitulation against Walcot three weeks ago, and their performances have given them a sense of belonging at their new level.

But without points, Martin and his teammates will not find themselves competing in South West 1 East for much longer.

And that issue is all to clear to the half-back.

“We just want our performances to be reflected in the table,” he said.

“It would be very disappointing to look back and say, ‘What if?’.”

Bassett will be without prop Steve Wells for tomorrow’s contest and for the foreseeable future.

Wells’ knee injury saw him become the latest addition to a lengthy casualty list this term And the home side’s front row will be significantly weaker in his absence.

Nevertheless, Martin insists that the team will be tenacious and enthusiastic in tomorrow’s clash.

And the fly-half is keen to get out on the playing field and put a few demons to rest.

“It’s time to get the monkey off our backs,” he said.