The game started well for St George taking their opening set-of-6 the length of the pitch, helped in part with an excellent clearing , side-stepping run by Declan Mann, putting the Vikings under pressure straight away. Swindon’s defence was also dominant forcing Somerset to knock on.

With good field position Swindon were able to press home their early advantage with a slick passing move which allowed Richard White to score, unopposed, out wide. Ben Bridson was unable to convert.

After about 15 minutes, player/coach Carl Baker was sin-binned for 10 minutes for “kicking out in the tackle”. However, being down to 12 men seemed to inspire Swindon's defence, holding out against the 13 men of Somerset. In fact Swindon increased their lead when Richard White scored his, and Swindon’s, 2nd try of the game. Some excellent forward drives put St George into good field position and on the last tackle Milo Hartley put in a little grubber kick and “Troll” ran through to ground the ball. Ben Bridson failed to convert.

Swindon, still with 12 men, continued to dominate. Experienced half back duo, Milo Hartley and Jim Roden, were guiding their team around the pitch, creating space for the ball carriers. Somerset were very wary of this which allowed Jim to throw a dummy and dart through the gap to score. Ben Bridson kicked the extras.

Swindon’s defence was continuing to work hard and, if the Vikings did manage any breaks, scrambled back to stop the threat. Swindon, restored to full strength following the return of Carl Baker, charged forward again. Jim Roden put in a dangerous kick through which, following a wicked bounce, went over the Somerset defence into the arms of the chasing Carl Baker to score. Ashley Brown missed the conversion.

For the first 30 minutes of the game Swindon had been totally in control but the final 10 minutes of the half saw a turnaround in fortunes. Whether it was the Vikings playing better or St George relaxing or a combination of the two, Somerset got two late-ish scores leaving the half time score, 18-10, a lot closer than it should have been.

The 2nd half was a much more even contest with both teams taking it in turns to score.

Swindon increased their lead to 14pts following a rampaging run from Ben Bridson. With the Vikings defence on the back foot, St George fullback Rychknyx McKenzie scooped up the ball and dodged and side-stepped through Somerset to ground the ball. Ashley Brown kicked the conversion.

Somerset replied with a try but followed that by giving a couple of penalties away enabling Swindon to gain good field position. From a tap penalty, Ben Bridson used brutal force and strength to take any would-be tacklers with him over the try line to score. Ashley Brown missed the extras.

Somerset’s next two tries came either side of young winger Sam Strong’s first ever rugby league try. The 17 year old was quickest to react to a Somerset knock on and before the Vikings could recover the youngster had raced away to score. Ash Brown missed the kick.

Swindon captain Richard White claimed the next try and with it, his first ever hat trick! Following good build up play, the prop saw his opportunity, picked up the ball and burrowed through the defence to reach out to ground the ball. Ash Brown missed the kick.

Somerset scored another try. The Vikings had scored two tries less than Swindon but missed conversions meant Somerset were just a converted score from an undeserved victory with just 5 minutes to go.

In those final minutes Somerset pressed for the win but strong Swindon defence held them out which included a great try saving tackle from St George wingers Sam Strong and Declan Mann, who forced a knock on as a Vikings player reached out for the try line. Again Somerset attacked but a long pass out wide went to ground and was fell on by Ashley Brown as the final whistle was blown to seal Swindon’s win.

Swindon Captain, and hat trick hero, Richard White said “Really proud of the team today! That first 30 minutes was some of the best rugby we’ve ever played. Unfortunately we let them back into the game but then they are a good team. We still played some good rugby but we really had to show our “dog” and dig deep in defence at the end and got the win we deserved.”

Coach Carl Baker was also pleased, “Home form is so important as the results of the rest of the matches our Division show how tight this season could be.”

Other West of England results
Oxford Cavaliers 32-22 Bristol Sonics
Gloucestershire Warriors 28-26 Cheltenham Old Pats