THEY feared, following their relegation from London 4 South-West last season, whether the club would stand up and fight back instantly or hit the slippery slope to mid-table mediocrity.

The answer will come tomorrow, when Southampton play Surrey Division One runners-up KCS Old Boys in a play-off to go back to that regional level at the first attempt.

Victory will cap a memorable season for the Test Park outfit, and they have every chance of success with home advantage and a healthy partisan support on the sidelines. Encouragingly, two of KCS's three league defeats have come away from home.

Skipper Tony Cador announces the side that he feels, "will work well together".

He added: "It is not necessarily our best side as everyone that has played for me has their own special asset."

Carl Wilmore's work commitments rule him out, leaving Mark Mauger to fit in to the second row, while Nick Timms is switched to blind-side flanker. Alex Scott, who scored six tries in a Vets game last week against Tottonians, takes his place on the wing.

The Wimbledon-based visitors have been to watch Southampton on a couple of occasions. A representative was spotted at the match against Romsey a fortnight ago and also at a private training session last weekend.

Coach Mark Inder is unconcerned about their interest. "They are obviously worried about us to make two trips," he joked. "But I really do not want the lads to go worrying about them.

"I am as confident as I can be with the amount of talent in the side. Since beating Guernsey and knowing we would finish second, we have lost a bit of impetus but we can get that back for this big occasion and return to the league where we deserve to be."

Cador has also spotted the KCS spies. "We have not had them viewed. They will run, catch and pass the ball like we will. It is just who does it best on the day.

"I have said so much this season, so I will say very little before the game and let the team just go out there and play. It has been a long season, but an enjoyable one.

"I would like to add the word successful there too and hopefully I can tomorrow night."

"There is one game left and then that is it. The time to bang heads on brick walls are gone, it is now time for a bit of fun. I know I will enjoy myself on Saturday, and if the performance comes with it, then KCS will be in for a hard time."

Away from the competitive action, there are a few end-of-season run outs with a club day being held at Millbrook, where the first team take on the Veterans in the annual challenge match.

It is current club against former club in the shape of Fareham Heathens and Paxton Pumas. An acrimonious split from Heathens some four years ago evolved in the creation of the Pumas, and they come together for their regular slug-it-out.

Tottonians are on tour in Galway, but the non-travellers receive Welsh tourists in Neath Athletic Veterans.