SWINDON College Old Boys face the ultimate test of their progress tomorrow when they take on Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier leaders Drifters.

Old Boys have enjoyed a spectacular second half of the season after their innovative coaching methods began to fall into place, including a run of five games without defeat which only ended last time out when they lost narrowly 21-17 to second placed Thatcham.

But they will be looking to get back on track tomorrow against the leaders, and once again show the improvements they have made this season.

“We take every game seriously, but we identify games throughout the season which we really want to perform in, and this weekend is one of them,” director of rugby Martin Lloyd said.

“They are obviously a very strong team doing really well, but we are strong too and have come on leaps and bounds this season, and we want to win this game.”

Amongst all of the interactive whiteboard sessions and video analysis, Lloyd insisted the biggest influence on his side this season was the quality of the coaching from Mark Lea and Mark Roshier.

“They really are top notch and technically great coaches,” he said. “We all work really well together as a team, and we are very lucky to have them both at the club. They are respected by everyone at the club and that is very important.

“All of that has ensured we have a really good atmosphere around here at the moment, and that comes down through the coaching staff, through our captain Gareth Davies and through all of the players here.”

Swindon return to South West 1 East action after a two week break when they travel to Marlow, and fly-half Adam Westall is delighted to be back on the field.

“The second half of the season has been a little stop-start for us so I think we may lack a little bit of consistency, but it will be good to be playing again,” he said.

“Our aim for the rest of the season is to make sure we can keep hold of third place. If we had been a little more consistent I think we could have been up there looking for promotion, but we will learn from it for next season.”

In National League 3 South West, Chippenham are back in action as they travel to Old Redcliffians, and Wootton Bassett host Grove in Southern Counties North.