ROYAL Wootton Bassett head coach Alan Low insists no team are there for the taking in South West One East at the moment, ahead of his side’s trip north to face struggling Stratford-upon-Avon.

Bassett’s poor December record dropped them to fifth in the table and ended any slim hopes the club had of claiming what would’ve been a sensational effort to claim the league’s top spot.

After losing to relegation-threatened Witney during that poor run, Low is keen to avoid a repeat of that shock when facing bottom side Stratford – who have won just one of their 15 league games this season – tomorrow

After only edging out the Warwickshire side by a point last season, Low is expecting his younger players to step up to the task once more and take control of the game early.

Low said: “It’s a long trip up to Stratford, that brings its own challenges for an amateur side.

“The players aren’t used to the long trips, but we’ll get up there and give our best.

“We had a cracking game up there last season. If memory serves me right, there was one point in it at the end of the game.

“We conceded three tries in the space of 20 minutes, so getting a fast start is key – and hopefully that can allow these younger lads to express themselves a little bit.”

As the league table stands, Newbury Blues – relegated from the region’s top tier last season – stand to promote themselves straight back into South West Premier after winning all 15 of their opening games.

Just four points separate second-placed Old Centralians from Bassett in fifth, underlining Low’s beliefs that no team can be viewed lightly.

“No team at the moment are proving themselves to be easy opponents,” said Low.

“We knew where we were when we went to Witney, we played with people missing through injuries but we still expected a performance from the guys.

“It was the performances that disappointed us that day. We highlighted after that game that, as coaches, there will always be disappointment when we lose – but disappointment when you lose is easier if you have delivered a good performance.

“When you’re not getting the result and know that the issue is inside our group of players then that is when you have issues.”

Elsewhere, second-from-bottom Swindon will hope to take their win tally to three for the season when they host Oxford Harlequins at Greenbridge Road.

In Southern Counties South, Swindon College Old Boys travel to Grove, while Supermarine’s search for a first victory in Dorset & Wilts One North continues away at Minety.