Chippenham head coach Danny Thomas believes short-term goals will be key to his side’s success this season.

The Allington Fields side begin life back in South West One East on Saturday with a trip to newly-promoted rivals Trowbridge.

And while Chippenham were relegated from National Three South-West last term, Thomas believes that the club are now in a better place. 

“We’ve addressed the issues that we needed to be addressed,” Thomas said. “There were a few things that needed rectifying and we have done that. 

“We have a quality coaching set-up, all who have done it a higher level, and we are looking forward to getting the season started.” 

Chippenham are keen to make a swift return to the National leagues but Thomas is well aware of the task that faces them. 

“We are under no illusions how tough this year is going to be,” Thomas said. “There are a number of teams who will all be going for promotion. 

“I think for us, rather than have a long term ambition, it is better to have lots of short-term goals to achieve along the way.”

 Chippenham will hoping that their experience of playing at a higher level will help them get their season off to a flying start at Doric Park. 

“It is an exciting division this year with lots of local derbies,” Thomas said. “We know that it is going to be tough on Saturday. 

“They are a club that have been growing over the last couple of years, but the aim is to go there, stamp our authority on the match (and) show our experience of playing at a higher level. 

“We are still going to out there and play a wide, expansive game - we want to express ourselves on the pitch.”

Meanwhile, Devizes make the trip to Towcestrians after a testing pre-season.

The Saddlebacks made the journey to South West One West side Thornbury last weekend and following a spirited performance, they went down 30-22.

But Devizes, who finished seventh last term, will face an even tougher test on Saturday against the side that were pipped to the title by Oxford Harlequins.