MISTAKES at key moments once again meant that the scoreline did not reflect the effort that Swindon College Old Boys put in, according to director of rugby Martin Lloyd.

The Southern Counties North basement boys fell to a 29-5 defeat at second-placed Aylesbury at the weekend.

However, the Pipers Way chief felt that their Buckinghamshire hosts knew that they were given a run for their money.

“It was always going to be a tough day. They are second in the table and we were away from home,” Lloyd said.

“Having said that we put them under plenty of pressure – it is was just a couple of mistakes at key times that let us down.

“Aylesbury deserved to win, there is no doubt about that, but they knew that they were in a tough game.”

Having handed a first team debut to Jimmy Cornes, Lloyd singled out Matty Allen, Tucker Blinkhorn and Damon Murphy for their performances.

“Matty and Tucker were outstanding in both defence and attack,” Lloyd said. “Had not been for a couple of dropped passes under pressure then the scoreline would have had a different look.

“Damon Murphy once again stood out at the lineout. He is our lineout captain and he showed his usual form.

“We competed well at the lineout and the scrummage – we just struggled at the breakdown.”

College’s only score of the game came from prop Michael Bisley after he ran in from the Aylesbury 22 following a quick penalty from Ash Brown.

“We had to take him off for oxygen and recuperation after that,” joked Lloyd.