THE road to Twickenham came to end in Cornwall for Swindon College Old Boys.

The Pipers Way outfit made the long trip to Saltash on Saturday for the South West Senior Vase final as they looked to put themselves one game away from stepping on the hallowed turf at HQ.

However, despite crashing over for the opening try the runaway Berks, Bucks and Oxon Premier leaders, suffered only their second defeat of the entire campaign as the Tribute Cornwall/Devon hosts claimed a 22-5 success.

College took the lead on the half hour mark, when from a lineout, get their driving maul charging forward to allow prop Richard White emerge from the pile of bodies with the ball.

Saltash responded with a Harrison Reburn penalty six minutes later before James Moriarty dotted down to give the hosts an 8-5 interval lead.

The scoring was wrapped up within eight minutes of the second half starting as Lewis Wells and Shaun Crawford both crossed the whitewash for the hosts, while Reburn added the extras to both scores.

“That was a really good game of rugby,” College director of rugby Martin Lloyd said.

“Obviously we were disappointed to lose but it was a really hard fought match.

“Some of the hits that were put in on Saturday made the ground shudder and then the tackler would help the other player to their feet – it was that type of game.

“Cornish sides are always tough nuggety teams and Saltash were no different. Apart from the result it was an enjoyable day.”

The with trip to Twickenham no longer on the cards for College, who bowed out at this stage two years ago, Lloyd was proud of his players.

“The further you go in this competition you know that you are coming up against better and better sides,” Lloyd said.

“It is all well and good racking up those big scores, but it is these close games that really test you.

“Maybe we could have managed the game a little better with the wind and slope, but the lads gave everything.

“The defence was from both sides was very disciplined and it was a game that was pleasing to watch.”

Despite the defeat, Lloyd said that College would be making a return trip to Saltash later in the year.

“We are going to Bodmin on tour this year so I’m sure that we will pop in and have a beer,” he said.

“The hospitality was received down there was fantastic and it was a lovely club to go to.”