JOHN SPANDLEY is confident that Slough will have a positive impact in the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier this season with a squad stronger and more fit than last year.

Slough endured a controversial season last term when two members of the club, including ex-head coach Darran Brown, were suspended from the sport following a match-fixing scandal.

The club were deducted 25 points, though the team responded under the guidance of Spandley to avoid relegation into the Championship.

Now reinvigorated by new players and a different style of rugby, Slough are looking to push on when the new season gets under way with a visit to Tamblyn Fields from Chesham today (Saturday, 2.30pm).

Greenies head coach Spandley told the Observer: “The mood is quite upbeat because we’ve got a few new players and we’re looking good.

“It’s a little early to say but we are definitely gelling and look like we’re coming together.

“We’ve had some good pre-season training and the guys look a lot fitter than this time last year.

“We’re going to play a more open and faster game of rugby.

“We’re going to have a say and are looking to push on. It’s possible to hit the ground running and improve because we’ve got squad depth.”

He added: “The first match can sometimes be a strange one. It’s early days but Chesham can blow hot and cold. They can turn up and out- perform us, and we’ve lost to them in the past when we should have beaten them.”

Slough concluded their pre-season preparations with a 15-5 win away at Saracens Amateur on Saturday.