Loader believes Swindon are simply the best (From Swindon Advertiser)

Loader believes Swindon are simply the best

10:30am Wednesday 21st April 2010 in

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SWINDON coach Neil Loader believes his side are as good as any other in Southern Counties North after their final day 69-5 demolition of Beaconsfield.

The result completed a run of six straight league wins, cementing fifth spot for the Greenbridge Road side, and Loader is adamant his outfit will be serious contenders for promotion next term after easily hitting their targets for this season.

And with Southern Counties North expected to lose both Witney and Amersham & Chiltern to higher levels over the summer, the former Rugby Parma boss has already sounded a warning shot to potential opponents come autumn.

“One of our best compliments this year was what one of the Beaconsfield lads said after the game on Saturday,” he said.

“He told us that he hoped we could get out of this division as soon as possible, for their sake. I think we shocked them a little and we can do that to the majority of sides we play now.

“I don’t care who comes down and who we have to play next season, I think we could beat anyone in the league now - Witney and Amersham included.”

Loader has good reason to make such a bold statement. His squad outplayed Amersham three weeks ago on course to a 20-17 victory and toppled Witney in the cup as they reversed a thoroughly forgettable opening two months to produce a barnstorming second half to the season.

And with summer acquisitions expected to bolster an impressively strong and deep pool of players, the future looks very bright for all associated with the club.

“We had a brand new team at the beginning of the year so we knew promotion wasn’t really going to happen,” said Loader.

“It took time for the team to gel with everything changing, but we have got the style of rugby we wanted now and next year we want promotion.

“We have to look at how we’ve been playing towards the end of the season and take it into next.

“We have to come out of the blocks fast.”

Back in September, Swindon had outlined an improved defence and a top six finish as the main objectives in a campaign of rebuilding.

In all, 70 points were shaved off the conceded column in the following seven months, and had Milton Keynes not earned a 34-34 draw with Grove on the last day of the season, Loader’s men would have claimed fourth place in a highly competitive division.

“It is a really good return from a tough season,” said the coach.

“It puts us in with a great shout of achieving even more next year.”