SWINDON St George head coach Ben Whincup expects a dramatic improvement on the last time his side faced Reading Raiders when they attempt to secure qualification to the final of the South West League West of England Super Fives today.

St George were thumped 62-6 at home by Reading in the first of four Super Fives group fixtures back in late June.

However, Swindon have raised their game dramatically since then, and two victories from their next three games – including back-to-back away wins over Somerset Vikings and Oxford Cavaliers – saw them qualify for the semi-finals as pool runners-up.

Even a 44-20 loss at home to runaway group winners All Golds last weekend could not deny them a home match in the last four, with Raiders their opponents at Supermarine this afternoon (2.30pm).

St George coach Whincup said: “The last game against Reading was a wake-up call for us.

“We had a lot of players missing because of injury, but it showed us that we can’t afford to take anyone lightly.

“That result led to probably our best form of the season, winning back-to-back away games.

“I am hoping Reading will see a different St George side to the one they played last time.”

All Golds were the only team to win more than twice in the group phase, but Whincup hopes that establishing themselves as the best of the rest will make big difference to St George’s chances.

“It’s a big opportunity for us, and it’s important that we are at home. That is the reward of playing well in the group stage,” he added.

“We know what we have got to do to win the competition, and I don’t think the gap between us and the top team is that massive. We haven’t got to improve much to make it up.

“The momentum we have got in the last couple of weeks has been important.”

Swindon suffered several injury headaches against All Golds last time out, but Whincup thinks his squad is still in decent shape for their semi-final showdown.

“We will assess the guys and see where we are,” he said.

“Luckily, we have got quite a deep squad and if people are out, then it gives some of the players in the second team the opportunity to come in and impress in a massive game.”