SWINDON skipper Mike Thompson was mightily relieved as his side ended their six-match losing run in South West One East with a 22-12 home success over Stratford-upon-Avon.

The win over the Warwickshire side, which saw Swindon come from 12-0 down to claim the spoils, was only the hosts’ second defeat of the campaign.

Tries from Wayne Lower, Dave Cox and Jordan Shepperd, as well as two conversions and a penalty from Adam Westall, secured the win for the Greenbridge Road men – much to the delight of Thompson.

“It was tough game. They were a well-drilled side that played for the full 80,” Thompson said.

“But that was probably the first week where we had everyone available and it showed.

“We changed the team around a bit and having Coxy and (Tom) Mannion back carrying the ball was huge.

“They scored two tries early on from mistakes that we had made, but we finished the first half strongly and then the second half was a completely different 40 minutes.”

League rivals Royal Wootton Bassett secured their fourth bonus-point victory on the trot as they defeated Banbury 24-17 at Ballards Ash.

The Oxfordshire side scored a pushover try in 10th minute to take the lead, before home number eight Kyle Lovell drew defenders before popping the ball to second row Dave Hogg, who pirouetted over for a neat touchdown and landed the long-range conversion.

A superb break from winger Josh McCafferty was held up by some desperate Banbury defending but influential prop Chris Rowland seized the ball and forced his way over the line for the second Bassett try.

Banbury responded before the interval to reduce their arrears to just two points.

Bassett saw Rowland grab his second score of the match midway through the second half.

Chris Patterson grabbed the bonus-point score for the hosts, which was converted by Hogg, before Banbury got a third try of the match.

Elsewhere Swindon College Old Boys suffered a 37-22 defeat at Marlborough in Southern Counties South, with tries coming from Gareth Davis, Eoin Creen and Tucker Blinkhorn.

In Dorset and Wilts One North, Supermarine were humbled 71-0 by Combe Down.