10:40am Wednesday 28th April 2010
SWINDON St George’s final pre-season game ended in defeat as they went down to a 44-40 reversal against Gloucestershire Warriors.
Richard White plundered over from short range to open the scoring after early St George pressure. Mike Thorpe kicked the conversion to give St George a six-point lead.
Swindon were well on top in the early stages and following a break out wide, player-coach Neil Greenwood, received a pass to scored under the posts.
Gloucestershire got back into the game thanks to a disputed try which St George players believed should have been ruled out for the opposing winger landing in touch.
However, the Warriors were back in the game after a break out wide led to another try.
Swindon scored again when Thompson found a gap to score, but the Dragonslayers then gave Gloucestershire good field position following a knock-on which allowed the dummy-half to score from close range.
Swindon’s next score came when Chris Kent found a huge gap and wrong-footed the full-back to race in from 40 metres out.
With the half nearly finished, Gloucestershire scored from the back of the scrum to leave the score 24-20 in Swindon’s favour at half-time.
The second period started badly for Swindon, with Gloucestershire scoring to take the lead for the first time.
With both teams attacking and defending well there was a period of stalemate with was broken by strong, tackle-busting run from Mike Thompson, who linked with Greenwood to feed Miles Bennett to stroll in untouched.
Gloucestershire were next to score as the lead see-sawed between the two teams.
St George regained the advantage following another strong run and break from Thompson.
With the Gloucestershire defence trying to get onside, a quick play-the-ball gave Mike Thorpe a clear run to the line.
The Warriors regained the lead with another try and then scored again following a high kick to take an eight-point lead.
With time running out Swindon’s Thorpe gave the home side hope, and stand-off Jim Roden, almost created a winning chance in the final seconds. But Roden spilled the ball in an offload, an error greeted by the sound of the final whistle and a 44-40 loss.
Swindon coach Greenwood said: “While disappointed to lose, we were able to put an improved performance against good opposition.
“We are really looking forward to the season starting on Saturday.”
Swindon St George play local rivals Oxford Cavaliers in their season opener on Saturday.
The game will be played at Swindon RFU on Greenbridge Road. Kick off at 2.30pm and entrance is free.
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