ANDY 'Taff' Lock has paid tribute to the pre-season commitment of his Wootton Bassett teammates as he prepares to lead them into another tough Southern Counties South campaign.

Hooker and new skipper Lock has been delighted by the effort put in on the training pitch during the summer but has warned that attitude must continue if Bassett are to translate it into results.

"The commitment towards training has been immaculate,'' said the captain.

"We've never had less than 20 since we started in July and the players' attitude has been first-class.

"I think it's made a huge difference so far and shown in some of our pre-season results.

"Ultimately though, none of that matters now we have to keep that going through the season.''

Lock's troops face a tough away encounter first up against Redingensians on Saturday but Bassett's warm-up match form gives plenty of cause for optimism.

The memory of a narrow defeat to the touring Gloucester, Wiltshire and Berkshire Regiment was soon wiped out by thumping wins over Bath's Oldfield Old Boys and tough Gloucestershire outfit Painswick.

"Redingensians is going to be a big test for us, but if we can put in a good performance it will get the league off to a good start,'' added the skipper.

"Bassett have always been able to mix it physically and technically with the rest, but perhaps there has been that litle extra missing.

"We were up and down last season, but the team spirit is there, no doubt, and there is a great atmosphere at the club.''

The Stoneover Lane side even called in RAF physical training instructor Cpl Sam Hunt to put the players through their paces in pre-season training.

Lock, who was approached about the captaincy at the end of last season,'' said: "It's the type of thing that, if you're going to do it, you have to do it properly.

"I laid out what I wanted from pre-season and everybody has responded.''

Bassett's second team also have a new challenge this season, led by second row Gary Mander.

After triumphing in the Dorset & Wilts 2nd XV Cup last season their third win in five years Bassett have the new Dorset & Wilts Merit League to look forward to.