BRADFORD on Avon coach Dave George admitted he experienced a feeling of relief on Saturday after his side secured promotion from Dorset & Wilts One North on the final day of the season.

Four tries in the first half against Trowbridge 2nd was all that George’s men needed to earn promotion to the Southern Counties South as his men finished five points clear of second-placed Combe Down.

Though Bradford went on to win the game 66-36, focus quickly turned to celebrating the season gone for the home side.

George said: “I’m relieved. It was an odd game, we went out knowing a point would secure promotion, but they wanted to attack.

“There was a decent crowd for our last game at home too, it made for a good afternoon.

“It’s said good sides get what they deserve and my team have worked hard this season.

“The winter months have been horrible, but they’ve put the work in and got what they deserve.”

Despite winning comfortably, George admitted his side felt a few pre-match nerves in the moments leading up to kick-off.

He said: “We went out knowing four tries would secure the title and from there we could relax.

“It was important we enjoyed the game, and they did. You could see the nerves were there.

“In the opening 20 minutes we lacked that final pass, but we settled and got the point we needed which was very pleasing.

“It would’ve been nice to be strong defensively, but we got what we aimed for.”

George’s men will travel south this weekend to face Exeter Saracens in a tour game before competing in a handful of sevens tournaments throughout the summer.

But the coach’s main focus will be on keeping the majority of the side that he has worked with this year together as George explained his troops have the ability to compete in a higher division.

“If we can keep the team we’ve had this season we can certainly perform next year,” he said.

“We’ll find out more about comings and goings when we reach pre-season.

“Our aim will be to tighten the defence but otherwise continue to do what we did this season.”

Elsewhere Melksham ended the season with an away defeat at Royal Wootton Bassett 2nd.

Melksham were forced into making several changes following a physical game against Chippenham in the days leading up to Saturday’s contest.

Bassett started with a high tempo to their game, quickly catching Melksham out with a quick tap-and-go inside their 22.

Another Bassett try prompted the visitors to register their opening marker as Matt Glover crossed over.

Scrum-half Callum Hurn added the extras.

An evenly-matched second half allowed Melksham to take the lead as Luke Cador touched down.

A pair of penalties in favour of the hosts swung the game back in their favour before two more tries eased the gap further.

Though Melksham registered a try of their own late in the game, Bassett had done enough to earn the points as the game ended 30-24.