NEWBURY Blues returned to winning ways with a 26-15 success at Swindon in South West One East, writes Richard Ashton.

The visitors conceded an early penalty which Swindon knocked over, but converted tries from Jon Bastable and Joe Pigott put Blues in control, Dan Thorne landing both efforts from the tee.

Swindon his back with a converted score of their own on 35 minutes, cutting Newbury’s lead to 14-10 at the break.

The visitors moved further ahead early in the second half when the opportunistic Pigott swept the ball up before breaking away for a try.

A period of sustained pressure ended with Swindon bagging their second try to cut the gap to 19-15 with a quarter of the game to go, but Newbury held their nerve and secured a bonus-point try through Ian Herriott late on, Thorne again adding the extras to seal the win.

Newbury host Windsor this Saturday (3pm).

Thatcham RFC

THATCHAM were left to rue their high penalty count in a 29-15 Southern Counties North defeat at Bicester.

Ash Taylor crossed the whitewash twice for Thatcham, and although the hosts only managed the same number of tries, Tom Miles landed five penalties and two conversions to steer his side to victory.

Hungerford took the honours in their derby at home to Tadley, winning 22-7 in the BB&O Premier.

London Irish

IN the Greene King IPA Championship, London Irish made it three wins from three with a 30-23 success at Bedford Blues.

Tries from Ben Franks, Johnny Williams, Topsy Ojo and Max Northcote-Green, allied to 10 points from the boot of the in-form Tommy Bell, did the damage for Exiles, who host Ealing Trailfinders at Madejski Stadium on Sunday (3pm).