WALCOT Chairman Kevin Davis admits that player power was behind head coach Andy May's decision to quit Albert Field.

May tended his resignation before last weekend's 22-12 derby victory over Corsham in Southern Counties South, less than a year after taking the reins.

"It's something Andy had been talking about for a while," said Davis. "I think he felt he was not getting the support he needed from the players.

"There were little things. For example, if we had a 2.30pm kick-off, Andy would want the lads to be training on the pitch at 1.15pm but they didn't think it was necessary.

"It wasn't a happy ship and the players voted with their feet in the end."

Davis believes the atmosphere at the club has not been helped by the fact their clubhouse has only just partially reopened following a pre-season fire.

"That has been a major factor in everyone's attitude," said the chairman. "Old Sulians very kindly let us use their facilities but it wasn't the same as having your own place, your own focal point after the games.

"It's still not the social centre we want it to be but it's getting there. We've had Sky installed this week so we can show the Six Nations and we're just waiting on another insurance payment so we can finish the furniture."

Davis and the board will meet next week to discuss May's successor, although they may wait until the end of the season before appointing someone permanently.

In the meantime, Kevin Woodland – head coach during Walcot's 2009-10 season – will oversee coaching, assisted by club stalwarts including Matthew Andrews.

They saw their team overcome the now traditional slow start, which saw them fall behind to a well-worked tenth-minute try, to grind out victory at Corsham on Saturday.

Walcot had lost the reverse fixture convincingly and looked set for another torrid afternoon but gained a foothold through set-pieces, with the scrum just about holding its own and the lineout working well.

Over-officious refereeing meant neither team was allowed to play any running rugby and it was no surprise that Walcot's first points came from the boot of Spreadbury following a home indiscretion.

A strong, tackle-busting break by Sam Trevfour then teed up the visitors' only try, the effervescent Ben Flyer on hand to take a rare pass from the number eight before touching down under the sticks. Speadbury added the conversion.

The second half became a contest of the Corsham forwards versus the Walcot back-line but the visitors stood firm and stretched their lead through four superbly-struck penalties from the ever-reliable Spreadbury.

Corsham grabbed a converted try in the last minute but fourth-placed Walcot left with a confidence-boosting win ahead of this weekend's tough home match against Trowbridge.