AFTER being relegated from South West One East last term, Matt Holloran is targeting a Devizes promotion this year.

The London Road outfit finished third-from-bottom in South West One East, which saw them return to Southern Counties South.

And ahead of the visit of Wimborne this Saturday, the Devizes team manager is optimistic about the campaign ahead.

“The pre-season has gone really, really well,” said Holloran, who oversaw his side’s 22-5 success against Thatcham on Saturday.

“We have had a number of ex-colts come up to the first team this season after playing with the seconds last year.

“They are really giving us a boost. We feel that we can get promotion this season.

“We know it is not going to be easy. We were in this league for many years before we got promoted.”

Devizes have also had a change to their coaching set-up this term, with back-rower James Gaiger hanging up his boots to join Holloran on the sidelines.

“Not many teams have two first team managers, but we felt that it was the right thing to do for us,” Holloran said. “If you have the right set-up, it can really give the players the proper support on the pitch.”

Despite having a young team this season, Holloran believes that they will be able to cope with the pressure.

“They handled it better than the older guys,” he said. “But you need to the older, more experienced players to help them out when it gets tough.”

Meanwhile, Royal Wootton Bassett skipper David Hogg is hoping that the North-South divide isn’t too great this season.

Hogg and his teammates will join Devizes in Southern Counties South this term after making the switch from the North division, where they finished third last year.

But after a pre-season where they have had two-time Britain’s Strongest Man winner Laurence Shahlaei putting them through their paces, Hogg is feeling confident ahead of Saturday’s trip to Marlborough.

“I’m feeling quite positive to be honest,” the skipper. “We have got a few new players come in, so we should do alright.

“I think it will be good for us being in a new league because it will give us new teams to face and we won’t be playing the same teams.

“We have to go in to every game with an open mind, and not have certain games where we think we can go and win based on previous seasons.”

Meanwhile, Corsham and Melksham get an early chance for bragging rights in Dorset and Wilts One North as they do battle at Westrop, while Minety head to Combe Down.

In Dorset and Wilts Two North, Calne host Sutton Benger on Saturday, while Pewsey Vale head to Swindon College Old Boys seconds.