SEAN Lynn’s Swindon side were left muted by a resurgent Oxford Harlequins as the hosts fell to an uncharacteristic 22-0 defeat at home.

In windy conditions, Swindon opted to play into the breeze in the first half and found themselves 15-0 down by half-time.

Having got into the right areas in the first period, Swindon were not clinical enough as they failed to get themselves on the scoreboard.

Lynn was not panicked, with the blustery weather in his favour at the re-start, however, the visitors kept possession well and Swindon were shut-out for a second forty minutes.

The defeat saw Harlequins move level on points with Swindon, who sit ninth in South West One East, but Lynn’s side did not lose ground on the three sides above them, who also all tasted defeat.

“I can’t even remember the last time we didn’t score any points at home,” said the Greenbridge Road head coach.

“They were a very good outfit and come half-time I was thinking - we were 15-0 down with the wind behind us second half – we had enough to get us back in the game.

“As it was, they taught us a very valuable lesson in how to play rugby against the wind, really.

“We just couldn’t get the ball off them.

“Talking to the coach at the end, they are getting all their players back from injury and they are a very strong outfit.

“What was really nice was that the boys defended really well and although we lost 22-0 we did get a lot from the game.”

Swindon lost tighthead prop Michael Fitchett during the game as he was taken off with a suspected broken ankle and is set to go for an x-ray.

That adds to Swindon’s injury woes but Lynn conceded that even if he had everyone to pick from then they still may have come up short against a rampant Oxford side.

“We had some boys who were still out injured and unavailable but I think if we did have our strongest side available then we still would have struggled because they were very good,” he added.

“They were a big set of forwards and their backs were very sharp.

“You look at it last week, Oxford Harlequins beat Newbury Blues and Newbury are a good side so it goes to show that Oxford are getting back on their feet.”