SWINDON Storm head coach Colin Branagh thought that offensive indiscipline plunged his side into shark-infested waters as they slipped to their first defeat of the season on Sunday.

The Storm, who had already recorded wins at home and on the road in BAFA National League SFC Two West, were back in action at Supermarine RFC last weekend but they suffered a day to forget as they were beaten 41-7 by the Cornish Sharks.

Jon Soden’s touchdown and Luke McEnroe’s successful point-after attempt made up the hosts’ consolation score as the Storm were put to the sword and Branagh is hoping that his troops learn from being shown up on their own patch.

“I don’t know whether it was through stage fright or a lack of concentration but our offence gave away so many penalties in the first half and left our defence in a hole,” said the Storm chief.

“It was silly things like moving too early before the snap or dropping the ball in our own end zone.

“The Cornish side were good but our defence just kept being put under more pressure and they did quite well to keep it to 41-7.

“We were missing Greg Roscow, our first-choice quarterback, and one of our linemen, Reece Kennett, which really didn’t help, but we were happy with our touchdown because we lined up with a spread offence, which is usually for passing, but ran the ball the length of the field to score, which is quite unusual.”

After licking their wounds, the Storm are in action again next Sunday as they make the trip to the Bristol Apache.

Branagh added: “I’m the offensive coordinator and after the match, I had a meeting with our defensive coordinator Richard Von Sloten – we’re going to make a personnel change in the defence, which we hope will make a difference.

“We should also have Greg and Reece back. Bristol will be a bit of a different challenge to what the Cornish Sharks were but we’ll go there having prepared properly.”