SWINDON College Old Boys got the perfect warm-up to this weekend’s cup game with Hungerford as they completed a straight forward 29-7 victory over Gosford All Blacks.

After almost a month off over Christmas head coach Mark Lea was worried that his side may have taken some time to get going.

And that was the case as College took until two minutes before the break to score their first try through Dan Cooper.

That try opened the floodgates and it took just two minutes after the break before Charlie Grabe went over the white-wash.

Further tries from Adam Reeves, Greig O’Brien and Jamie Park secured the win to keep the pressure on league leaders Reading Abbey.

“Gosford looked good in the warm-up and we expected a really tough test,” said Lea “However, right from the kick-off we pushed our game plan onto them, dominating the scrums and with our Backs playing their best running rugby of the season so far.

“Gosford were a strong physical side with a great half-back partnership, however the team ethic of my boys was simply too much for the visitors.

“It was a great all round display, and a special mention should go to veteran prop Sean O’Rourke, who came into the side at late notice and was outstanding playing on his 36th birthday.”

Elsewhere, Swindon missed the chance to close the gap on South West One East leader Chippenham.

The runaway leaders lost their 100 per cent league record at the weekend, losing to Witney 13-6.

Swindon could not capitalise however, as they suffered a second defeat of the season to Reading, this time going down 25-19 away from Greenbridge Road.

Having gone behind 15-3 after the first half an hour, Swindon rallied to take the lead themselves thanks to a converted try and two Adam Westall penalties but two tries in three second-half minutes was enough to secure the win for the hosts.

Meanwhile, it was a day to forget for Supermarine as they fell to third-placed Salisbury 123-0 to remain rock-bottom of the Southern Counties South league.

With Bradford, who are a place above them, winning Supermarine are in danger of being cut adrift.