ROYAL Wootton Bassett put up a valiant fight against Weston-super-Mare but ended up losing 32-15 in South West Premier on Saturday.

Having drawn level with Okehampton on 29 points, Bassett have just two games left to ensure they do not finish bottom and suffer relegation.

Saturday's defeat began in nightmare fashion for the hosts as Weston's winger touched down inside the first two minutes.

Alan Low's side responded well though and Phil Bardwell powered over in the corner to reduce the deficit to 7-5.

Huw Morgan was sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on, but Bassett could not take advantage as the score progressed onto 10-8.

The Somerset outfit seemed spurred on by the lack of players, and they finished the half by dotting down for an unconverted try.

Weston turned the screw in the second period and added 10 more points by the 50th minute to push their lead up to 17 points.

Bassett survived yellows to Bardwell and Josh McCafferty but saw Weston grab a bonus-point try against the run of play to make it 32-8.

Having only just returned to the pitch, McCafferty was shown a second yellow and Low's men finished the game with 14 men.

Despite that, it was the hosts who scored the final try of the afternoon - Bardwell notched his second score and Tom Fieldsend converted to add some respectability to the scoreline.

Bassett will hope to score points against both Bournemouth and Brixham in their final two games to avoid dropping back down to South West One East.

In that particular division, Marlborough thumped Buckingham 61-21 on Saturday.

In Southern Counties South, Swindon lost 31-14 to title-chasing Devizes while Swindon College Old Boys - who Devizes face on the final day - beat Wiltshire rivals Corsham 24-10.