BASINGSTOKE centre David Byett is confident that he and his team-mates can win their last two games to give themselves a chance of winning promotion via a play-off.

Victories over Wimbledon and East Grinstead would almost certainly earn ’Stoke second place in the London One South table and the chance to win promotion by beating the second-placed side from London One North in a play-off.

However, any slip-ups are likely to be pounced upon by Chichester, who sit menacingly in third place – and ’Stoke face a difficult run-in.

Next up is a home game against fourth-placed Wimbledon, who beat Basingstoke when the sides met in south London earlier in the season, while the Down Grange club’s last game is away at champions East Grinstead.

Byett said: “It’s going to be a bit fruity, that’s for certain. It’s going to be interesting to see how it all ends up but hopefully we can come away with two wins and that second spot.

“Sometimes we have phases when other teams can play against us but we have the skill to beat any team on any given day. It’s down to us. We can 100 per cent do it and we are looking forward to the task ahead of us.

“We will be out for some revenge against Wimbledon because we did not really turn up at their place. We had a good feeling going into the game but we could not deliver and failed to change our tactics. We have overcome that now and are much more adaptable.

“Getting a bonus point would be really good and help the situation but we have to win first and foremost because we know that will not be easy.”

Beating Wimbledon would set up a mouth-watering finale to the season in Sussex, with ’Stoke knowing exactly what they need to achieve against the champions in order to be sure of second place.

Winning against a team who look set to go into the final game of the season with a 100 per cent record would certainly be a tough ask – but Byett believes that Basingstoke are capable of getting the result they may well need.

“When we played East Grinstead at the beginning of the season we were starting to challenge them towards the end of the game,” he said. “It was only an interception try that eased the pressure but we have moved on and I see no reason why we cannot challenge them like Chichester did.

“Chichester pushed East Grinstead and were winning at half-time. We beat Chichester so if we carry on playing like we have been then we can push East Grinstead.

“Hopefully it will be a good day because if the conditions are right, I expect a cracking game of rugby.”

Byett has been a big part of Basingstoke’s success this season, forming a formidable centre partnership with Freddie Gleadowe.

“It’s been really good playing with Freddie Gleadowe,” Byett said. “His ability to read my runs and be there for the offloads has been key for us.

“I take the ball on but he has this knack of knowing when I am going to make the break and hitting the gaps.”

In recent weeks, that partnership has been both strengthened and threatened by the return from injury of Matt Guilfoyle, something that Byett says has been good for the team.

“It’s good to be part of a competitive squad with players who want to be here,” the 26-year-old said. “We all really support each other.

“If Matt comes in it is certainly no loss to the team though and it is great to have that competition. It pushes me to be a better player, which can only be a good thing.

“I have grown up with Matt Guilfoyle through the junior ranks and know all about him but if I keep on my game hopefully I can keep the partnership I have with Freddie going.”