Supermarine coach takes the positives from Wimborne defeat (From Swindon Advertiser)

Supermarine coach takes the positives from Wimborne defeat

6:00am Wednesday 13th February 2013 in Rugby By Andy Warren

SUPERMARINE coach Gavin Russ insisted there were plenty of positives to take despite his side’s 53-0 defeat away at Wimborne.

Following the 56-0 loss at Wootton Bassett last weekend, Russ admitted defeat in the club’s battle to avoid relegation from Southern Counties South, with the South Marston club nearly 20 points from safety.

Marine were able to blood a number of new players in preparation for next season, and Russ was pleased with how they performed considering the size of their defeat when the two teams met in Wiltshire earlier in the season.

“When they came to us they beat us 106-7, so to go down there and get beaten 53-0 is a big improvement for us,” he said.

“We were planning to blood a few players we were thinking of using next year, and we did exactly that and they all stepped up and did really well, we couldn’t have asked anything more.

“They gave 100 per cent, and that is all I can ask from anybody.

“We played some good rugby at times and that was pleasing.”

Russ believes his players were able to play with a care-free attitude after accepting their relegation, and thinks it could help them prepare for next season.

“The pressure was off, and I think that meant the players played with a bit of a care-free attitude, and it worked for us to an extent and I was really pleased,” he said.

“We could easily have rolled over and died, but we didn’t give up.

“They are all still giving everything they’ve got and that’s really pleasing for everyone.

“There have been some big improvements throughout the season, but there is a long way to go yet.

“We are starting to look to next season, and we are doing well with that and we need to keep it going for the rest of this season.”

In the Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier, Swindon College Old Boys’ home clash with Littlemore was postponed.