SWINDON College Old Boys RFC have pulled out of their league rugby commitments for the remainder of this season after a chronic shortage of players forced them to cancel their third match of the campaign.

The Nationwide-based club called a halt to their Southern Counties South season this week and are likely to rejoin the league structure at the bottom level in 2004-05.

College, who will now revert to playing friendlies and social rugby until the end of the season, took the decision after crying off Saturday's away trip to nearby Devizes.

That cancellation, plus earlier call-offs on away days at Westbury and Tadley, took the number of points they had been docked this term to six.

And despite one win and a draw to their name, it left them on minus three points at the foot of the league table, five adrift of nearest rivals Wootton Bassett.

The club's problems started with a serious lack of front row players a common complaint among many senior amateur rugby sides.

But disappointed skipper Greig O'Brien admitted the shortage had spread to other positions in the squad and a withdrawal became inevitable.

O'Brien said: "It will come as no surprise to many members.

"Despite achieving two good results, one of which was the victory over Wootton Bassett, we have been unable to fulfil three fixtures, resulting in six points being lost.

"Our problems first arose in the front row area, like most other clubs, but it has now extended throughout the team.

"A lot of pressure has been put on players and club officials both on and off the field, which is why this action is being taken at this stage before it's too late.''

He added: "It was by no means an easy decision for our committee to make, but there have been ongoing discussions as to the options we have as a club.

"We could have remained in Southern Counties South but we can't do that week in, week out.

"Not only is it unfair to the players who don't get a game through cancellations, but we've taken into account that every game we have to pull out of there is an opposition that we are letting down.''

O'Brien insisted the club would now regroup before attempting to rejoin the league system at a lower level.

He added: "We will finish the current season playing friendlies and expect to be placed two leagues below in Dorset & Wilts Two.

"This is our opportunity to rebuild. The approach and attitude seems to have remained positive throughout the recent rough periods we have experienced.''

Team manager Martin Peaple echoed O'Brien's sentiments, saying: "After the number of games we have dropped this season, it just did not become feasible to continue in the league.

"It isn't fair to this club and the other clubs in the league.''

The Dorset & Wilts RFU's South West Leagues liaison officer Noel Stafford warned that College could expect to start at the bottom rung if they reapplied tothe league.

And he said the club faced other problems because of its withdrawal.

"It's unfortunate, but a big problem with pulling out of the league is that players may drift away to other clubs.''