RUGBY: Bassett make league switch (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

RUGBY: Bassett make league switch

1:50pm Thursday 24th May 2012 in Rugby By Owen Houlihan

WOOTTON Bassett will open their league season at home to Frome on Saturday, September 8.

The club, who bid farewell to their Stoneover Lane ground with a day of celebrations on Saturday ahead of their switch to Ballards Ash, will also move division next season.

Bassett, who have competed in Southern Counties North for the last few years, will move across to Southern Counties South, alongside county rivals Devizes, Corsham, Supermarine and Trowbridge.

Devizes, who narrowly missed out on a promotion play-off last season, are away on the opening day of the season and face Wimborne.

Corsham are also on the road with a trip to Bath's Walcot, while Trowbridge are at home to Oakmeadians.

Marlborough, who drop down after finishing bottom of Southern Counties North last season, open their campaign with a home clash against Bradford on Avon in Dorset & Wilts One North.

Melksham, who were relegated after one season in Southern Counties South, host Pewsey Vale and Minety are at home to Calne.

In Dorset & Wilts One South, Westbury and Warminster are both away from home on the first day, at Oakmeadians 2nd and Salisbury 2nd respectively.

The league structure has remained the same despite proposals for a reshuffle that were put forward towards the end of last season.

Plans to create a new Dorset & Wilts Premier Division - featuring the likes of Marlborough, Melksham, Warminster, Pewsey Vale, Westbury Minety, Calne and Bradford on Avon - were on the table, along with a reserve Premier Division housing some of the top Dorset & Wilts clubs' second teams.

However, the existing system now looks likely to be retained.

Chippenham's fixtures in National 3 South West have yet to be published as they outcome of appeals over level transfers are ongoing.

OPENING DAY FIXTURES

Saturday, September 8

Southern Counties South: Supermarine v Sherborne, Trowbridge v Oakmeadians, Walcot v Corsham, Weymouth v Dorchester, Wimborne v Devizes, Wootton Bassett v Frome.

Dorset & Wilts 1 North: Avonvale v Trowbridge 2nd, Devizes 2nd v Combe Down, Marlborough v Bradford on Avon, Melksham v Pewsey Vale, Minety v Calne, Swindon 2nd v Chippenham 2nd.

Dorset & Wilts 1 South: Bournemouth 3rd v Bridport, North Dorset 2nd v Wimborne 2nd, Oakmeadians 2nd v Warminster, Salisbury 2nd v Westbury, Sherborne 2nd v Blandford, Swanage & W 2nd v Ivel Barbarians

Dorset & Wilts 2 North: Bath Saracens v Swindon College Old Boys 2nd, Chippenham 3rd v Wootton Bassett 2nd, Combe Down 2nd v Cricklade, Corsham 2nd v Melksham 2nd, Sutton Benger v Fairford, Westbury 2nd v Supermarine 2nd.

Dorset & Wilts 3 North: Bradford on Avon 2nd v Colerne, Calne 2nd v Devizes 3rd, Minety 2nd v Swindon 3rd, Pewsey Vale 2nd v Supermarine 3rd, Trowbridge 3rdv Swindon College Old Boys 3rd, Warminster 2nd v Melksham 3rd.

REACTION TO THIS STORY IN NEXT WEEK'S GAZETTE & HERALD