SPIRIT amongst the team at Supermarine remains high despite a heavy 90-3 defeat away to Southern Counties South division leaders Swanage & Wareham.

Marine were always in for a tough test when they travelled to the south coast but their challenge was not made easier by the loss of player-head coach Sean Millwaters, who was absent on work duties.

The club sit two places off the bottom, having picked up two bonus points in their five league outings. However morale amongst the players is still strong according to club chairman Hywel Rees.

“They are the league leaders and we totally anticipated a struggle,” he said.

“The reports I have had back from the opposition chairman was about how well the guys fronted up on the day and how impressed they were with the standard of play and that we tried to keep playing rugby even in tough conditions.

“The next couple of games are as we expect them to be, we are playing the top couple of teams.

“We’ve got them all in a mad rush, and then we’ve got teams that are of a standard and area with us.

“From what I can see the team spirit that has come through, particularly this weekend, will stand us in very good stead to maintain the charge when we come up against those sides around us.

“The atmosphere in the camp is very positive and the boys are looking forward to taking the opportunities when they come along shortly.

“We’ve already managed to secure more points than we had the last time we were in this league.

“Before Christmas we hadn’t scored a point, we’re in a better place in terms of squad consistency and we’re playing better rugby than we were and we know that our chances will come.”

Elsewhere Swindon RFC pipped Towcestrians by a narrow 32-30 scoreline to pick up a bonus point win and go fourth in South West One East, leap-frogging Newbury Blues.