DIRECTOR of rugby Martin Lloyd saluted his Swindon College Old Boys troops for battling through a host of setbacks to make it nine wins from nine in the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier Division at Risborough on Saturday.

While a 28-7 triumph over basement boys Risborough may not look like much of an eye-catching result, given College have swept all before them so far in this campaign, Lloyd was pleased with the defiance on offer from his men.

Already shorn of several players through injury and unavailability, College also lost Richard White to a red card in what was a fractious encounter, but still prevailed to earn themselves an eighth try bonus point from nine matches this term.

Tucker Blinkhorn, who proved a thorn in the side of the Buckinghamshire hosts all afternoon, dotted down for a try, while Jack Kimber also touched down before retiring with a back injury. Florin Palcau and Charlie Grabe also registered, the latter booting four conversions.

“We were hoping for a win but we didn’t know what to expect because they (Risborough) have won a couple of games,’’ said Lloyd.

“You can never take these things for granted and we also lost Jack Kimber to injury, which meant Charlie Grabe had to go in at scrum-half when he’s normally a winger.

“We didn’t play to our normal game plan. It was a very disjointed game, which makes it difficult, especially with so many players out.

“We started really well and there were some good performances from the likes of Drew Blinkhorn, Damon Murphy, Terry Gibb and Steve Oxley, who all played through injuries for us.

“Ben Cross also had his first game for the first team and proved to be a strong runner and strong in defence.’’

  • IN Dorset & Wilts One North, Supermarine paid the price for being errant with the boot, landing just one of six conversions in a 43-32 defeat at home to Minety.