SWINDON College Old Boys were left to rue early indiscipline in their Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier clash with Thatcham at the weekend, as they slipped to a 28-22 home defeat.

A series of offences within the first five minutes saw Old Boys fall 9-0 behind before they even ventured into enemy territory.

And those mistakes effectively handed third-placed Thatcham a points cushion they preserved through to the final whistle, despite a second-half rally from the Pipers Way outfit.

But while the result was ultimately disappointing for College, team manager Martin Peaple was happy with the performances against an in-form and imposing opposition.

“In the end those first few minutes did cost us and giving them the penalties gave them the win, but we got two bonus points in the process and they only got four for the win,” said Peaple, whose side ran in four tries to Thatcham’s three.

“We did well in the forwards against them. They had some big boys up there but we more than coped with them.

“It shows how well we have been doing recently and the points should mean we can keep hold of fourth come the end of the season, which would not be bad at all.”

Thatcham made the most of their quick start to race into a 23-7 half-time lead, with Mark Williams’ try and Scott Buchanan’s conversion scant reward for 40 minutes of hard toil for College.

But after the break the tide changed significantly, as Sam Robinson and Adam Archer reduced the arrears to just six points, before Thatcham rolled over one more time to clinch the win.

Robinson again touched down with seconds remaining, but it was too little too late for Old Boys.

“You could see why they have been getting good results, and they had a couple of ex-Newbury players in amongst them so it was good to see how well we played against them,” said Peaple.

“We have one more game now, against Gosford All Blacks next week, and if we can win that we should end the season on a high.

“Then it’s a few weeks off, into pre-season and look to go for a top two spot next season.”

In Southern Counties North, Swindon were handed a home walkover by Chipping Norton after the Oxfordshire outfit were unable to raise a side.

Wootton Bassett made sure they remain in the chase for promotion from the same division after hammering Tadley 66-12 away from home to keep hot on the heels of their local rivals.