LITTLEMORE have learnt the hard way about the difficulties of adjusting to life in a higher division – but back-to-back wins have proven it can be achieved.

Eleven successive defeats before the festive break left the side staring at the possibility of being relegated to the BB&O Premier at the first time of asking.

But Littlemore have made their Southern Counties North rivals take note in the opening two games of 2019 with wins over Slough and Stow-on-the-Wold.

A 13-point gap to safety is a reminder there is still work to do, however the improvement is encouraging for head coach Nick Todd.

Littlemore conceded 582 points during the first 11 games of the season, including a thumping 112-0 defeat at the hands of leaders Windsor at the beginning of December.

Although they went on to lose their next two games before Christmas, that particular reverse proved a turning point.

“It’s been a trying season so far,” said Todd.

“We were at a low point after the Windsor game – 100 odd points to nil and taking a bare (squad of) 15 with us.

“It was a reality check for a lot of the players about the commitment required at this level.

“Twelve months ago when we were looking at the possibility of going up, everyone said they would be committed.

“But the reality of that is, it does become more than just a past time when you’re at this level.

“We said to the players this was where we wanted to be, this is the rod we’ve got for our back, so let’s draw a line under the Windsor game and look to improve.”

Littlemore’s rise to becoming a Southern Counties North club has been remarkable compared to where they found themselves in 2015.

Heading into their 40th anniversary season, the Oxford Academy-based side plied their trade in the BB&O Championship – two levels lower – having been expunged in 2014/15 after being unable to fulfil at least three fixtures in the BB&O Premier.

Two promotions in three seasons followed and Todd wants his side to finish this campaign in a positive fashion.

He said: “We don’t want to find ourselves in the same situation next year.

“Mathematically, we could save ourselves, but there needs to be a good spirit going out of the season and into the next, whatever that level proves to be.

“Let’s be honest, it’s almost certainly going to be miracle for us to stay up.

“And on reflection, is that what the club needs?

“Could we just take the season at level 7, understand the commitment and then reassess from a more comfortable position as a level 8 rugby club?”