SOUTH WEST PLAYOFF: SATURDAY looms as the biggest day in the history of Chippenham Rugby Club.

Gloucester outfit Coney Hill will arrive at Allington Field to take on the Wiltshire's high flyers in an 80 minute battle for promotion to South West One uncharted territory for Chippenham.

Coney Hill's surprise loss to mid-table Brixham on Saturday gave gave fellow Gloucestershire club Spartans the South West Two (West) title by a single point, after they easily overcame lowly Stroud.

This loss pitts them against South West Two (East) runners up Chippenham, with Reading Abbey the title winners in their league.

After a hugely disappointing loss to Walcot in the Bath Combination Cup final last Wednesday night at the Rec, Chippenham bounced back by recording their biggest league victory of the season on Saturday, scoring ten tries to defeat Oakmedians and give the team confidence ahead of this weekend's crucial fixture.

"We've been at the top end of this league for four or five years and haven't quite made the next step. We're knocking on the door now, and this time we want to kick it down," said Chippenham head coach Rob Alford.

"I'd say it is probably the biggest game in the club's history, we've done a bit better than we thought this year, but we have the chance now to take the last step now and see how we go against the big boys."

Chippenham have been in this position once before, when they lost to Berry Hill at the end of the 2001/02 season.

But Alford believes the club are now better equipped to deal with the rigours of South West One, a view backed up by Chippenham's comfortable 37-10 Bath Combination Cup semi-final win over top flight Keynsham.

While they faltered in the final of that competition last Wednesday night in Bath against a hugely motivated Walcot, Saturday's result shows the youthful squad have the mental toughness required not to go away from such a successful season empty handed.

"Some of the heads were a bit down on Saturday, but I basically let go of the reins and told them just to go out and enjoy themselves.

"Our build up was very light and I just said to forget about Wednesday, the final was gone, and there was nothing we could do about it.

"We don't want to be remembered as the side which lost the final, but the side which gained promotion - it's all about next week now," he said.

The whitewash of Oakmedians ensures Chippenham go into the playoff on a high, which is more than can be said of their opposition, who play at Metz Way in Gloucester city centre.

Coney Hill would have been confident of title honours and automatic promotion before Saturday's season finale, but now face an uncomfortable trip south to face a hostile opposition and crowd at Allington Field.

They also have the yet to be scheduled final of the Gloucester Combination Cup against Spartans to think about, and have really struggled for wins away from home over the last month.

Coached by Chris Hall, a hooker contracted to Zurich Premiership club Worcester, the side are led by classy scrum half Leon Liggett.

Chippenham will also have to watch flying winger Nevaro Codlin, the club's top try scorer, and like most Gloucester sides, Coney Hill are also strong up front.

Alford's young but rather underweight pack has stifled heavier opposition this season by dominating possession and playing an expansive game and the coach feels once again if the ball stays in the engine room too long it could be a preverbial spanner in the works.

"Hopefully the weather will be in our favour as well, we want to play a running game, the same as we have all season," he said.

Chippenham will be at full strength but there is a large question mark over flanker Koroi Misimisi. He was given his second red card of the season in the cup final at the Rec last Wednesday and faced a disciplinary hearing last night.

The likelehood is a suspension, but with the big wing forward struggling with an ankle injury anyway, Alford has already factored him out of the equation.

Club physio Rob Ferguson has been working hard all week on Gary Squires (neck), influential lock Nick Doyle (shoulder) and number eight Hamish Morton (hamstring), but all are expected to be fit for Saturday.

The side will only have one run out this week, taking place tonight, where the final squad will be named.

"We have spent months putting in the hard graft in training and nothing we do this week will make any difference. What we need for Saturday is the right mental attitude, good weather and a little bit of luck," he said.

Kick off is at 3pm.