Although Carlos Spencer and Chris Ashton received the plaudits for their performances last week, I must start by paying tribute to the forwards. They had come in for some stick after the Nottingham game which they responded to superbly well.

Without a good platform the backs cannot perform and the pack provided this superbly. The lineout went very well and the driving mauls, for a forward purist like Dorian, were a work of art!

This afternoon’s visit of Newbury is another huge game for us. We have said plenty of times that there is no point in winning the so-called ‘big’ games if we let points slip elsewhere.

Today is a prime example. Newbury come to the Gardens on a roll having won three games from three. Two weeks ago they came from a 15-point deficit to overhaul Launceston in the last 20 minutes, something which requires a lot of character. They have a spring in their step and no expectation from anyone else.

This is a dangerous combination. A few weeks ago no one gave the Pertemps Bees a chance here and they ran us close for much of the game. I’m expecting Newbury to be the same – tough, uncompromising, and all too ready to take our scalp if we let them.

This we cannot do. We have worked extremely hard and faced some tough challenges to be in the position we are and we cannot let any of that go to waste.

We will have to do it without Robbie Kydd however, who will miss the next few months after rupturing his Achilles tendon against Coventry last week. This is a real shame. Robbie had been playing well and was an important part of our midfield.

Robbie has been operated on already by Mr Bill Ribbans and Cliff Eaton and the Saints medical team will provide him with the best possible treatment during his rehabilitation.

His injury could open doors for other players however. In the same position, inside centre, Grant Anderson had another good game for the Wanderers on Monday. It was a great game in which both our lads and those from Worcester played some good rugby.

Rob Hunter also blooded some JSA youngsters in the game. They will have benefited greatly from playing alongside some of our more experienced players and from facing Premiership opposition. None of them looked phased, despite the result going down to the wire! It all bodes well for the future.

Next week we travel to Launceston. It is another long trip to Cornwall that marks the halfway point of our National League One campaign.

So far I’m happy that we’re undefeated to this point. I’m also happy that the entire squad has been contributing to the effort. Those players who haven’t yet pulled on a Saints shirt have nonetheless been pushing those in the team to raise their standards. This is being reflected in the performances and results. The squad is competitive but spirit is excellent.