IN days of old there were many fearsome clashes for bragging rights between Forest and Gloucester rugby clubs. Traditionally they were no-holds-barred affairs played only for pride. Now, however, there are valuable league points to be achieved.

This season Bream will be carrying the banner into battle for the Forest against two famous old Gloucester clubs, All Blues and Spartans.

Spartans have achieved an early season slice of one-upmanship by inflicting Bream with their only defeat to date. Meanwhile All Blues wait in the wings.

The two Gloucester clubs are both unbeaten and represent the biggest threat to Bream's thirst to play rugby at a higher level.

"They are both good sides. Spartans only beat us by a couple of points and All Blues have yet to play the top teams so we are looking forward to meeting them. Those are the matches that will probably decide who wins the league," says Bream official Robert Turley.

But promotion – and relegation – can often be decided on fine margins and bonus points will become more precious as the season unfolds. Bream already know their value and scored four tries to secure a valuable additional point against a stubborn Ashley Down team.

Turley rated Bream's breakaway unit as the fundamental difference between the teams. New coach Dave Emery, flanked by Liam Trigg and Matt James, won the crucial battle for loose ball possession and their work on the ground enabled the three-quarters to stretch the Bristol team time and again.

Emery's arrival at Bream from neighbouring Lydney has worked well.

"It's his first coaching role and he has done well to pull the team together after we went down last season. A couple of players have come with him and Tai Lacabuka has also returned giving us a useful back-line," said Turley.

Ashley Down, he added, were a robust and resilient team and always in the hunt. But Bream won the important breakdown area and fully deserved their win.

Lacabuka scored two tries with others going to captain Wes Trigg and hooker Sam Coombes. James Bovill made two conversions and kicked a penalty.