IT WAS the chance for the backs to shine as Swindon College Old Boys made the most of perfect weather conditions to claim a 50-7 win over Phoenix.

Head coach mark Lea was pleased with his sides performance and said the attitude of the players was spot on from the moment they arrived.

A penalty from Charlie Grabe got the home-side off the mark before, after with-standing some early pressure, Joshua Haynes ran in unopposed from the 22 with Grabe adding the extras.

Despite College struggling with their line-outs, the backs were making up for it and Ross Saville released Liam Spillane who evaded a tackle from his opposing number to cross the line, with Grabe adding the conversion.

It wasn’t long before skipper Gareth Davis was getting in on the action as he set up Eoin Crean to go in under the posts and Grabe grabbed the extras before the break.

College picked up where they left off in the first and it wasn’t long before Stuart Knight was able to cross the line and that was followed up with some clever foot-work from Spillane to score his second and take the score to 43-0.

With Phoenix resilient they continued to attack, but it was college who scored again with Saville finishing in style.

Phoenix got some reward for their hard work at the end when they continued with their line-out success and their number 8 secured the consolation.

“On the whole I was very pleased with how we approached the game,” said Lea.

“The vibe before the match was excellent and we were on top straight from the kick off as a result.

“It was really good to see our back line play some flowing rugby and start to put runners into spaces.

“The Mood after the game was good and the squad had a team night out which always helps bring them even closer together.

“We now need to get focused on the next two games as we play two very good teams that will be better than any side we have faced so far this season.”

College will now face Marlborough in the Ist XV Vase semi-final on Saturday.