BASINGSTOKE RFC player-coach Jim Dixon says he is proud of the way his young side recovered from their awful start to London one rugby to secure league safety - and is backing them to continue to make progress in 2005-2006.

Now that the 2004-2005 campaign has been completed, following Saturday's visit to Cambridge, Dixon can reflect on his first season in charge of the senior team and the way it has developed under his tenure.

"Losing 10 of the first 12 games meant the opening months of the season were quite stressful for me," he said.

"I always knew the guys were capable of so much more than they were producing - it was just finding the right way of getting it out of them.

"We've worked really hard to turn things around since Christmas and full credit has to go the boys for their efforts because it's all come right in the end.

"Mid-table is a fair reflection after our start and I told the boys they should be proud of achieving such a recovery."

Back-row forward Dixon believes the arrivals of fly-half Seb Berti and hooker Pete Maxwell, a good friend from their days playing together in Australia, at the apex of the New Year have been influential in the revival.

The Kiwi said: "We lacked experience in the right areas, key positions. The standard of London one meant we were disadvantaged without those players.

"We needed someone to come into the pack and take charge and I knew Pete would do that if I got him here. He's made a big difference, as has Seb at 10."

Aussie Maxwell, who has been working for club sponsors FX, is unsure whether he will be staying in the area but Dixon is keen to retain his services and also those of Chilean Berti, who arrived from Penzance.

He will be looking at further recruitment in the summer but said he will mainly be persisting with the local players he has because he knows they can step up this season to competitors of real stature.

Dixon said: "It's important for us as a club to do that so we can build around them, adding as and when we need to in positions to strengthen the team.

"It's what we've started this season and it's a policy we will persist with because it is the way to go.

"They've shown the benefits of keeping faith in their abilities with their run of form this year.

"There are now 10 ex-Colts involved in the first team and, as young guys who have a year's experience in a tough league under their belts, they will be a lot stronger for it next season."

Dixon felt county rivals Havant demonstrated to 'Stoke in the Hampshire Cup final the standards they need to emulate to be successful in the future.

The national three south visitors handed out a rugby lesson in last Sunday's clash at Down Grange, winning 55-7 with a ruthless display.

While galling to lose by such a margin, the 27-year-old believes it served as a useful indicator of where 'Stoke currently stand.

The big number 8 said: "Havant are in the situation where we want to be in two seasons' time - which is a promoted and solid national three south rugby side.

"That's the stage we have to get to and I think if we continue to make the right progress we will get there.

"I certainly think a two-year target for us to try to match Havant's achievements is well within our capabilities."

He continued: "I think we have finished the season well and, as long as that progress continues next season, I will be happy.

"We don't want to have to start all over again by going backwards during the summer and we are putting a pre-season programme in place to ensure we don't.

"We want to push on as a team, challenging at the top of the league for a chance of promotion because, other than Worthing/ Cambridge and the relegated sides this season, there hasn't been much between the rest of the London one clubs."