A depleted Swindon St. George side were defeated 68-22 by Leamington Royals as they continue to adapt to the step up to the Midland Premier League.

A difficult build-up to yesterday’s clash saw St George hit by numerous injuries and late withdrawals, causing the home side to draft in several members of the club’s Masters squad for the visit of Leamington to Greenbridge Road.

Their shortages were cruelly exposed within the first five minutes, with the Royals playing some very incisive rugby and twice slicing through the Swindon defensive line to quickly establish a six-point lead.

However, the Powerwash Dragons soon got themselves back in contention, when a turn of speed saw Matty Huggins race clear down the wing and touch down under the sticks for a try, which was subsequently converted by John Jewell to give hope of a surprise comeback. It was to be Swindon’s only highlight of the half though as the away side turned the screw.

From that point until the break, it was one-way traffic from the visitors as they raced away, five tries and two conversions sealing a six points to 36 lead as the two teams headed off at the break.

Leamington opened the second period exactly as they did the first, with two more converted tries to produce an even bigger buffer but, in the 50th minute, Masters stalwart Carl Gillespie rolled back the years as he stormed through to record St George’s second touchdown, adding the extra two with his own kick.

From then on, however, it was back to domination from the Royals as they continued to pull even further clear, broken only by a Nick Tuckett try, added to by the boot of Matt Huggins, and a second high-speed effort from man of the match Huggins.

But, around those home highlights, Leamington established a total grip on the tussle, completing a 68-22 rout as they made the difference in quality between the two teams known with Swindon having to play without a large portion of their main squad.

Dragons’ chairman Warren Huggins was quick to praise his patched-up side for the endeavour that they showed in a difficult game, pointing out the positive improvements, particularly in attack, during a tough second period.

He said: “They were all heroes today, the inexperienced, along with our Masters' draftees, all answered the call and stood up to be counted. I’m proud of every single one of them.”