SWINDON’S tricky start to the season continued as they were edged out 15-13 by Old Patesians at Greenbridge Road.

Sean Lynn’s side suffered their fourth defeat of their five-game old campaign at the weekend against a side that came down from National Three South-West last term.

A try from scrum-half Tim Berry, following a move from the base of the scrum, two penalties and a conversion from former captain Adam Westall were not enough to see off the Everest Road men.

Skipper Mike Thompson said: “It has been a tough start to the season.

“But we have got a lot of new faces, guys that have come in halfway through last season and in the summer too. It takes time to build a side.

“We are getting a more settled side now and that will show over the next few weeks.”

Thompson said that he felt that the Cheltenham-based side are beatable but once again, errors proved costly.

“The forwards really dug in against Old Pats and the backs did well,” the skipper said. “It was a horrible day – the weather was not nice to say the least, but it was just a couple of mistakes that let us down again.

“That comes down to not having a settled side, we have had lots of injuries but we are now getting back to a full squad.

“They have got a good side, a strong number eight who has been around for a few years and they had a couple of good ball carriers, but they are beatable so it is just a shame we made those mistake.”

Having taken over the reins from veteran fly-half Westall in the summer, back-rower Thompson admits it is strange having to talk to the referee instead of trying to avoid his attention.

“As a number seven, you spend your time trying to avoid speaking to the referee,” Thompson said.

“You only speak to him when he’s caught you out, but it is going well and Westy is there if I need him.”