Peaple wants Old Boys to up the ante (From Swindon Advertiser)

Peaple wants Old Boys to up the ante

8:10am Friday 5th March 2010 in

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SWINDON College Old Boys boss Martin Peaple wants his side to up the ante as they bid to finish their campaign as they started, beginning with the trip to Gosford All Blacks tomorrow.

The Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier side have eased up in recent weeks, with elements of their game lacking the early-season conviction which saw them take a premature lead in the division.

But Peaple has reiterated to his charges the value of a strong set of performances in the run-in, having ruled out the possibility of a promotion place.

“We need to keep going and win each game to maintain our momentum,” he said.

“I wouldn’t say that it is a must-win game because we are not going to make it into one of those top two spots, but we can and should win it.

“In the last few games we have let things drop a bit. Parts of our game have lapsed and we’ve been making mistakes that weren’t there at the start of the season.”

Peaple believes the absence of the burden of expectation generated by Old Boys’ tremendous start should allow his side to produce more fluent, flowing rugby.

And with an almost full compliment of players to choose from, the College manager is confident tomorrow’s fixture will be the start of a return to form.

“With the promotion pressure off the players can relax more and play their natural game,” he said.

“Hopefully we can come away from the match with a good result.

“Gosford’s results haven’t been too good recently, but teams at home and teams away are very different in this league. A lot more people make themselves available for the home games, so we can’t underestimate them.”

Old Boys’ only absentee for the encounter is Stuart Knight, who has left on a two-month tour of Afghanistan.

n IN Dorset and Wilts 1 North Cricklade travel to rock bottom Wootton Bassett 2nds confident of securing two points.

In South West 1 East, Wootton Bassett make the trip to second-placed High Wycombe in search of their first two points of the season.

In Southern Counties South, Minety face fellow strugglers Oldfield Old Boys.