ROYAL Wootton Bassett head coach Alan Low says the most satisfying aspect of their strong start to the new season is that it has been achieved by homegrown talent.

Eight games into the South West One East campaign and Bassett are currently third in the table with seven wins to their name.

The most recent of those was a 22-17 success at home to Banbury last weekend and Bassett are back at Ballards Ash on Saturday when they host Beaconsfield.

The majority of players within the Bassett first-team set-up have developed through the ranks since their days in junior rugby – a fact that leaves Low brimming with pride at how they have fared this term.

“The biggest thing for us from last weekend against Banbury was that 15 of the 18 were players have come through our mini and junior section,” said Low.

“We have started to do a bit of work on that transition, so be operating at the level we are with a transition-rate like that is absolutely superb.

“The second team have laid a really strong foundation for us this year, which hasn’t been there in previous seasons. They were at home last Saturday as well and out of the 36 players across the two teams, we had 28 that had come through our youth section.

“To be operating one level off South West Premier – what was National League rugby previously – on that percentage of homegrown talent is superb.”

Bassett may fancy their chances of keeping up their fine form when they host a Beaconsfield side with just three wins from eight games this term.

However, the Buckinghamshire side have held their own on the road, already claiming a win at Witney and draw at Chippenham.

Injuries are likely to see enforced changes for Low’s side too, so the contest is unlikely to be as straightforward as it appears on paper.

“We lost Phil Bardwell and Elye Darragh last Saturday – both had to take trips to hospital. They will be reviewed before the game and will be a big loss if they’re not available,” said Low.

“It is an opportunity for players to come up and show what they can do. We have got some decisions around with what we want to do.

“Beaconsfield have had a reasonably good start so they will be a tough opposition.”

Elsewhere, Swindon remain without a win so far this season and will be hoping to break that duck when they travel to Trowbridge.

Swindon College Old Boys travel to Thatcham in Southern Counties South, while Supermarine are away at Sutton Benger in Dorset & Wilts One North.