The only way is up for Swindon (From Swindon Advertiser)

The only way is up for Swindon

7:00am Wednesday 11th January 2012 in Rugby By Andy Warren

SWINDON fly-half Adam Westall is convinced his side should still be looking up the table instead of down despite losing out 46-14 to Wiltshire rivals Salisbury.

The defeat sees Salisbury leapfrog Swindon into third place in South West 1 East, but Westall told the Advertiser that the loss will not dent his side’s confidence too much.

“We are still looking good in the table, and we have to be pleased with that,” he said.

“We are 10 points clear of sixth place and a few ahead of fifth too, and if anyone had offered us fourth at this stage of the season I think we would have snapped their hands off.

“We just need to carry on everything we have been doing so well so far this season, and if we do that then I am sure we will be fine.

“Salisbury have gone ahead of us now, but only by a few points so we can take third place back if we play well.”

Tim Berry and Charlie Vine pulled back consolation tries for Swindon after their hosts had raced into a 34-0 lead, and Westall admitted they had just come up against a better team on the day.

“They are a very good side, and that is plain for everyone to see,” he said.

“They are very good at pulling in a lot of good players over the holiday times, because they sign up a few university students who have extra time off, and they really make the most of it.

“But we can't complain because we came up against a better side and it was never going to be our day.”

A sizeable home crowd only had to wait 11 minutes for the first score as Luke Esnouf barged his way over to complete a forwards’ attack, and from then on the tone was set.

Tom Pottage gave his side a 10- point lead with a conversion and a penalty, before Rob Larcombe went over in the corner, and Shane Johnstone burst off the back of a scrum to thunder over.

Pottage converted both to make it 24-0, and the winger managed to score a try of his own after good work from the forwards just before half time.

Swindon started the second half well but couldn’t make their advantage count, and they were punished again as Luke Tunabuna thundered through to touch down.

Swindon’s two well-deserved tries did bring an air of respectability to the score, but Simon Quick and Pottage both crossed the whitewash late on to complete the rout for the home side.