Swindon St George beaten but unbowed in debut derby clash

Match report by Barrie Matthews

A 64-10 loss at closest rivals Oxford on Saturday left Swindon St George Rugby League FC not demoralised but determined.

Swindon head coach Richard White said: "We had three 17-year-olds making their debuts today and they done themselves and the club proud. 

"We also had three of our Masters side stepping in to help us out who all held their own. In total we had eight debutants pulling on the SSG jersey." 

That inexperience was crucial in the first half as the Cavaliers racked up the points, mainly through some sloppy play-the-ball marking from the visitors, but with errors such as these tightened up in the second period, a different game began to emerge. 

While admitting Oxford’s clinical approach in capitalising on his side’s first half mistakes saw them post an imposing score at the break, White suggested that a much more positive picture came to light in the second period, saying: "When we finally got the ball and fizzed it around in the second half we caused them all sorts of issues and made them look poor."

The head coach went on to single out one particular youngster for special praise: "My man of the match goes to Tyler Lehmann. 17 years old and carried like a monster all game, smashed their big unit of a prop 1on1 and never took a backwards step from anyone. Well done lad. Smashed it. 

"What makes this even better is not only was it Ty’s debut, but he is the club’s first ever junior to come through to open age. Everyone at St George is delighted with Tyler’s progress. He’s a real credit to himself, as well as to the coaching he’s received through the club’s junior pathway.’ 

An inspiration indeed to all the youngsters currently enjoying getting to grips with Rugby League, or to any other boys or girls who may interested in trying out the game for themselves.

This coming week will see the squad working on further eradication of basic errors, in preparation for the visit of Birmingham Bulldogs on Saturday 18 May at Swindon RFC, kick off 2.30pm.

St George were also represented at the Brixton Masters RL Festival in London, where the club’s senior section could hold their heads up, clocking up a victory over Aldershot amongst a couple of narrow defeats.

For details of any of Swindon St George’s Rugby League activities, be it Open Age, Juniors, Masters or Wheelchair RL, the club can be contacted at [email protected]