SWINDON 8, GROVE 14: Swindon crashed to their second sucessive league defeat, and suffered another blow when centre Paul Wakefield broke a leg.

On paper this was always going to be a close game as both sides have had good results against other teams currently at the top of the league. Swindon knew there was a tough task ahead as information proved correct about Grove's two big lineout jumpers, one at 6ft 7in and the other at 6ft 10in.

Played at Supermarine because Greenbridge Road was unfit, Swindon soon showed that they were easily able to compete in all phases of play, and most surprisingly in the lineouts.

Early pressure took Swindon into Grove's half of the pitch, but penalties allowed Grove's kickers to get them out of trouble, using the wind to good advantage.

After 15 minutes of Swindon pressure, the first score went to Grove with a penalty taken just outside Swindon's 22.

Swindon were determined, and continued to apply pressure. From good lineout ball they recycled the ball a number of times and a strong run from Wakefield was only prevented by a tackle from two Grove defenders, which left Wakefield with a broken leg.

Shortly after the game restarted Swindon's attack was again held inches short of the Grove line, and they managed to clear their line.

Grove were awarded another penalty, and extended the score to 6 - 0.

Only minutes later the Grove scrum half took a ball from a lineout and dropped a goal from the 10 metre line which extended their lead to 9 - 0.

For the remaining 15 minutes the play was all from Swindon with Grove desperately defending their line. But Swindon failed to score and the half time score remained at 9 - 0 to Grove.

At the start of the second half Swindon's pressure started to pay off. After five minutes from loose play they opened up the Grove defence through the centre of the field.

Adam Westall took the play to the right then fed to Neil Maycock, who when stopped 10 metres from the Grove line fed winger Nathan Waite to score in the corner. Adam Westall narrowly missed the conversion leaving the score 9 - 5.

Swindon felt the game was theirs for the taking and continued to dominate in all the set plays. From a Swindon attack deep into the Grove half a loose ball was picked up by the Grove hooker who fed the fly half on the half way line. He evaded a couple of tackles to score in the corner.

A penalty in front of the posts with the wind was just what was needed to bring Swindon to within one score of winning the game. Adam Westall stepped up and closed the gap to 14 - 8.

Swindon continued to play the game in the Grove half. Now within one score, the game was for the taking. Swindon failed to capitalise on their field position, and took the wrong option when close to the Grove line.

The game ended with Swindon frustrated after losing a game that they should have easily won.

Swindon face Bletchley at home (or at Supermarine) on Saturday, December 9, and will be looking for a good result.