TOM HEEKS is already looking forward to the new season and the challenge of keeping Drifters in the Southern Counties League next year.

Heeks has secured promotion as runners-up in the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier in his first season as head coach, with the team unbeaten in the league at One Pin Lane.

Drifters brought the curtain down on their season with a 25-7 home win against Hungerford, and Heeks hopes his men are ready for a new test.

He told the Observer: “It’s going to be tough because we will be playing better teams. We will have to be ready for some tough games and longer away days but everyone is up for the challenge.

“It’s where Drifters should be and we’re looking forward to it.

“It should be good fun and provide a little more motivation. Beating teams by 40 or 50 points this season was good fun but there’s no competition there.

“We think we’ve already got another eight or 10 players. A few older ones coming back and young players coming through. It’s super but we still need more. Even if we had a squad of 45 we will want more for the added competition.

“The target for next season will be to stay in the league, be competitive and build the club from there.”

Looking back over the season, Heeks said: “We’re unbeaten at home and have beaten everyone at least once with a bonus point.

“It’s quite good because us and Swindon (College Old Boys) are going up and well clear of third place. The best two teams are getting promoted and that’s good for the league. The two sides that went down last season are going back up.”

Commenting on the win over Hungerford, Heeks said: “I’m quite happy to win and it was a good representation of the club.”

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