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JIM Dixon insists that he will have no problem motivating his side for their final two matches of the season - despite the fact that the club is already doomed to relegation.

Defeat at home to Shelford a fortnight ago condemned Basingstoke RFC to the drop and they will line up in London division two next season.

They travel to sixth-placed Sutton and Epsom on Saturday (kick-off 3pm), playing for pride alone.

Despite this, Dixon, the club's director of rugby, is sure that the players will give the game their all as they begin to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead next season.

"It is easy to motivate the side," he said. "That is the great thing about having a young team - they are all very enthusiastic and want to play. I never doubt their commitment. They have just lacked a little bit of maturity and ability at this level.

"We talked some weeks ago about how important it is for us to work hard as a team and keep improving towards the end of the season.

"We are certainly taking the last two games seriously. We are there to play and want to win. The players are still working hard in training and are determined to finish off well."

Sutton and Epsom will provide another stiff test for 'Stoke, who have won just one league match in 2008. The Surrey side have won half of their 20 games so far this season and, while they have lost their last three, two of these were against the league's top two sides.

The teams met at Down Grange in December, Sutton and Epsom emerging 22-10 winners after a tight encounter.

"It was a really close game last time and another one we really should have won, but they managed to get a late try to make it seem a bigger margin," Dixon explained.

"They are an extremely big side and that is something we will have to contend with.

"We have to go up there and give it our best. They have a strong home record, but I am confident that we can go up there and get a result."

Dixon is hoping to welcome forward Ross Stirling back to the side in the last two weeks of the season, following a serious knee injury.

Another forward, Nick Cooper, came through the Hampshire Cup final without any pain after missing a few games with a knee problem, while several members of the backs division are expected to shake off slight knocks in order to feature.

1:20pm Friday 11th April 2008

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