GREYHOUND''S Mat Swain believes the team has nothing to fear this season and has even tipped them to be top dogs.

The Hereford side struggled in Midlands Four West (North) during the previous campaign and had to contend with a catalogue of injuries.

But Swain thinks this could be Greyhound's year after helping the team to an emphatic win against Tenbury in a Midlands Vase second round game last Saturday.

"The players are looking solid this year and there is no reason why we cannot push for promotion," said Swain.

"We have come back from a really horrible season due to injuries, but everyone is looking solid and we have got a few new players as well.

"We came into last season from an unbeaten campaign and thought we would go for promotion, but injuries just killed us.

"But hopefully we can go on and progress."

Swain starred with the ball and the boot for Greyhound last Saturday and ensured that the team steamrollered a Tenbury tram that eventually ran out of gas.

The centre bagged 17 points – including an excellent try – to help the team to a 32-7 win.

However, Swain was still disappointed that he missed a couple of chances, which included a simple penalty conversion when no points had been scored.

"I was a little bit upset with myself because I made some mistakes, but that is something to work on," said Swain.

Swain's miss was instantly forgotten though when Greyhound opened the scoring in the 27th minute.

Joseph Harris charged forward for the Dogs and fed Elliott Phillips, who scrambled the ball over the line.

Swain duly converted before adding to the score via a penalty moments later.

A try by Michael Weaver, again converted by Swain, ensured that Greyhound went into the break with a comfortable 17-0 lead.

Swain again showed his prowess with the boot by adding another penalty two minutes into the second half and at that stage, it looked like how many points Greyhound would get.

Swain extended the lead by converting his own try, but to Tenbury's credit. the Worcestershire side never gave up and managed to get a try of their own when Jacob Thomas fed Callum Spires to race away and score.

Captain Will Gough duly converted, but it was Greyhound who had the final word when Rob Tyler grabbed his maiden try for the club.

Greyhound skipper Oli Paton said he was delighted with the win and predicts a win for his boys against Market Drayton this Saturday in their first league game.

"I thought we played very well, especially in the second half and the latter stages of the first half," said Paton.

"They sucked us in a little bit into their game in the first half in the first 20 minutes, but we started using the width and using a new system which we have been working on in training and managed to get some of tries out of it.

"Elliott Phillips was strong as ever and our other centre Mat Swain had an awesome game.

"Our number 10 Michael Weaver also had a good game and Alex Martin stepped in at nine and hasn't played there before.

"I do not see any reason why we cannot beat anyone in this league with the way we played today.

"We haven't played Market Drayton yet and they have come down from the league above.

"They do not know us and we do not know them.

"So long as we use our system and just play our game and don't get sucked into them, then I think we will win."