SWINDON College Old Boys are targeting a third-place finish in the Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier after a 46-19 victory over Hungerford at Pipers Way on Saturday.

Old Boys still occupy sixth spot in the league table, but coach Luke Wills believes his side remain in touch with the teams towards the summit of the division.

And although runaway title-chasers Alchester and Slough would appear out of reach, manager Martin Peaple agrees with Wills that College have the potential to catch Thatcham in third.

An imperious forwards performance against lowly Hungerford added both confidence and momentum to the Old Boys’ cause, and Peaple is hopeful the victory can kick-start a late-season run.

“The win gives us a cushion to kick on and leapfrog a few of the teams above us,” he said.

“Luke has said he wants everyone to aim for third place at the end of the season, and that will be difficult.

“But we can definitely push on and give it a go. We still have a few difficult games left in the season against Drifters, Stow and Gosford, but we know what we can do.”

The club took the first baby steps towards overhauling the 16-point deficit between themselves and the top three with an overwhelming win against rock-bottom Hungerford.

A brace of tries from James Murray were added to by further scores from Charlie Drew, Michael Calvert, Tom Birnie and Kudzaishe Mlambo, as the hosts dominated in the pack despite falling short of their usual standards elsewhere, according to Peaple.

“Our rucking was great, although we probably did not perform as best we can in other areas,” he said. “There were a few missed passes and wrong decisions but the forwards were strong and dominated.

“They definitely helped build the foundation to recycle the ball and get into scoring positions.”

Scott Buchanan complimented the tries with a near-immaculate display with the boot, knocking over two penalties and five conversions, as Old Boys grabbed a winning bonus point.

And Peaple paid tribute to the kicker’s role in proceedings, not only on Saturday but throughout the season in general.

“Scotty does make a difference,” he said. “Those extra points he adds through penalties and conversions can be the difference between winning and losing.

“He is a really important part of the team, and although he has had one or two important misses, he has showed on Saturday how important it is to have a kicker in the side.

“They (Hungerford) did not have one on Saturday and it showed as their kicking out of hand and from free-kicks and penalties was quite wasted.”

  • WOOTTON Bassett’s relentless pursuit of an instant return to South West 1 East continued at the weekend as a 34-10 victory at Windsor helped the Stoneover Lane side to within just three points of league leaders Swindon in Southern Counties North.

Injuries and work commitments had forced Bassett into a number of changes prior to kick-off at Home Park, where Windsor have been notoriously strong down the years.

And the Berkshire side made the most of a slow start by the visitors, and home advantage, to pile on the pressure in the early stages.

However, the game changed instantly when the hosts’ hooker was dismissed halfway through the first half for a stray punch.

After the two teams exchanged penalties, it was Bassett who moved into the ascendancy.

Skipper Gary Williamson ploughed over the line from short range and Nick Parker skipper home for a fine individual score, whilst Dave Hogg was immaculate with the boot - adding both conversions and two further penalties .

Leading 17-3 at the break, the away team targeted the four-try bonus point after the interval.

Andy Phoenix darted home to put Bassett out of sight, and fellow winger Grant Murdoch soon followed suit, scooting over the whitewash in the corner after good work from the visiting three-quarters.

Rattled but not deflated, Windsor fought hard for something from the contest, and were rewarded when they managed a consolation score of their own in the dying stages.

Nevertheless, Bassett were determined for the last laugh and Dan McCarthy was on hand to touch down to round off the scoring.

Vice-captain Tim Gallimore was pleased with the maximum points haul, especially considering the absenteeism engulfing the camp.

And although he accepted Bassett were a little casual at times, the back row man reiterated how important that bonus point could be come the end of the season.

“We have to be happy with a bonus point win and sometimes you have to win ugly,” he said.

“Our defence was outstanding again but we never got going in attack and coughed up far too much ball. The players that came in were terrific and with a host of players expected back next week it provides a nice selection headache.”