9:40am Wednesday 28th April 2010
By Sam Morshead
SWINDON College Old Boys rounded off an impressive season by claiming silverware, courtesy of their 27-14 victory over East Dorset in the Dorset & Wilts 1st XV Plate in Warminster on Saturday.
Manager Martin Peaple led the praise for his side after they rallied from a 14-10 half-time deficit to overwhelm their lower league opponents in the second 40 minutes.
Recovery has been the keyword throughout the season for Old Boys, who have had to come from behind on numerous occasions to win over the course of the past seven months.
And Peaple claimed that superior fitness has been the critical element in his side’s ability to bounce back when trailing.
“Tony Grant has made this team the fittest in the league with plenty of runs in the pre-season,” he said.
“We may let some sides get ahead early on, but our boys keep on going when others are falling down by the wayside.
“There’s been a pattern to our games this season, but it also shows the resilience and concentration of the lads - they never allow themselves to get disheartened.”
Ross Saville opened proceedings after 11 minutes of the Plate final, running in to touch down before converting his own try to give the Wiltshire side an early lead.
But just seconds after the restart, Mark Williams’ attempted long pass was picked from the air by the East Dorset centre, who galloped home to level matters.
Saville regained the lead for Old Boys 10 minutes later, but another interception try for East Dorset on the half-hour sent College into the break behind.
“They needed a gee-up talk, and that’s what they got,” said Peaple. “We made a few changes at half time and they seemed to work.”
After the interval, the Swindon club pinned their opponents back in their own 22, and Ross Saville added to his personal haul with a converted try two minutes after the restart.
Ashley Brown registered College’s third touch-down of the afternoon on 55 minutes and James Hackett capped the emphatic display with a late score to seal the win for Old Boys.
“Once again we made hard work of something which should have been a little easier, but that has been the story of our season,” said Peaple.
“Even so, the boys all get to have something to show for their efforts during the season.
“The two tries we conceded were our own fault, and overall we didn’t really ever look like getting beaten.
“It’s a brilliant way to end the year.
“We ended the league in third place, but you don’t get anything for that.
“Now the boys have a medal in the pocket and the club has a trophy on the shelf.”
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