BRENT Wilson says Nottingham's first league win at Bristol in more than 22 years has galvanised Green and Whites confidence.

HAPPY CAP'N: NJottingham skipper Brent Wilson says Bristol win was about belief. PIC: Alison Bowden

The 23-19 victory over their play-off chasing rivals propelled the East Midlands club to second on the RFU Championship ladder. Nottingham moved two points clear of Bedford after the Blues lost to league leaders Newcastle and have a game in hand over the third place side.

Wilson and No.8 Alex Shaw crossed for tries either side of the break with fly-half James Arlidge booting 13 points to seal the crucial win.

The last time Nottingham landed a league win in the South West was in the old Courage Clubs Championship National Division One in September 1990. Richard Byrom and Mark Charles landed a try each and former England international Simon Hodgkinson slotted four penalties to seal the 22-6 win.

Since then, the Green and Whites have emerged triumphant once from a Cup fixture, lost six and drew a play-off clash.

Wilson didn't need to go through the statistical history to state the obvious.
"There is a lot of belief in this team right now," Wilson said.

"To so the double over Bristol, especially here where it is never easy to come away with a result, is a huge result for us.

"They are a good side and you look at their recent run and you can see they will be right there in the top four and right in the mix for the semi-finals.

"It was pleasing to see that we can come to a place like this and do a job.

"Getting a win like this away from home is a massive confidence boost."

But even before Wilson took his seat on the coach trip back to Nottingham on Friday night, the flanker had shifted his focus to the next test - Saturday's rearranged trip to Jersey.

"If you go to the Memorial Stadium and get the win and there and then go to Jersey and fail to do the same there it is not really worth it," Wilson said.

"You have to keep going from week to week and right now we can't afford to get ahead of ourselves.

"We have a game in hand which stands us in good stead in second place, so there is a lot for us to play for when we return to Jersey now."