ROYAL Wootton Bassett inflicted a first home defeat of the season on Sherborne as they retained their place at the top of Southern Counties South.

The 24-10 success extended Bassett’s excellent winning streak to 10 games, having last tasted defeat in the reverse fixture with Sherborne back in October.

Despite a last-minute change of pitch, Bassett were able to conquer the tricky conditions, with Tim Timani grabbing a brace to add to a try from number eight Kyle Lovell to the delight of head coach Alan Low.

“It was a tough day at the office,” he said.

“Sherborne did really well to get the game on but it was difficult and very heavy and boggy.

“It stifled both teams from playing the type of rugby we wanted to but we got down and the guys performed brilliantly.

“Nobody has been down there this season and got a result, so to go down and get a decent performance was fantastic.

“They set the tone up front and closed them down. Sherborne probably had one decent opportunity and that was it.

“I won’t say we had total control of the game because it probably looked a little bit closer on the scoreboard.

“We got held up over the line at the end of the game and had three attacking lineouts in their 22 and we messed them up, which is something we have to look at.

“It was disappointing not to come away with a bonus point but, that being said, it was a great performance.”

Bassett now have a weekend off and Low is not letting his squad of players get too carried away with their fine form.

“There is a bit of confidence building in the squad and we are learning how to manage the game a bit better,” he added.

“The eye never goes off the next game. We’re not changing what we do or looking anywhere else.”

SEAN Millwaters’ Supermarine went down to a 29-7 defeat at home to Corsham in Dorset & Wilts One North.