Under 14s Reports (Most recent at Top)

Swindon v Devizes
Swindon started the tournament with a difficult match against a strong Devizes team. Devizes mounted several attacks in the first half crossing for 2 tries without converting. Swindon had a single move in reply with a strong run by Adam Stephens who was pushed into touch 5 yards out.
Half Time Swindon 0 Devizes 10
Swindon began the 2nd half much stronger with a fine run by Tom Fletcher, before Alex Down dived over to score following a penalty 5 yards out. Swindon continued to pressure and but for some strong defending would have squared the game but Devizes held on to win.
Fulltime Swindon 5 Devizes 10

Swindon v Newbury Roebucks
Swindon began their second match much stronger and used the width of the pitch and speed to take the lead when Daniel Cooper ran from the halfway line to open the scoring. This was followed up by a further try also scored by Daniel Cooper who ran through the Newbury defence from his own half to score under the posts.
Half time Swindon 10 Newbury 0
The second half was very much an extension of the first with Newbury tackling strongly but unable to stop Swindon controlling the wings. Strong runs by Adam Stephens and Tom Fletcher were thwarted but after concerted Swindon pressure, Alex Down dived over in the corner to complete the scoring.
Fulltime Swindon 15 Newbury Roebucks 0

Swindon v Portsmouth
Swindon completed their group games by playing Portsmouth. Although Swindon tried their hardest they were unable to match Portsmouth’s physical presence and an exceptional performance from their number 7. Portsmouth ran in 2 tries in either half with no Swindon reply.
Halftime Swindon 0 Portsmouth 10
Fulltime Swindon 0 Portsmouth 20

One win from 3 games left Swindon lying 3rd in pool 3 so they entered in the knockout stages of the Plate competition rather than the Cup against Trojans.

Swindon v Trojans
Swindon kicked off and immediately placed Trojans under some pressure. Swindon used quick accurate passing to free Daniel Cooper to run from his own half and score in the corner. Trojans came straight back at Swindon and forced an error down the right flank before scoring under the posts and the converting. This woke Swindon and Daniel Cooper was able to score his second try before halftime.
Halftime Swindon 10 Trojans 7
Trojans stepped up a gear in the second half and although Swindon defended bravely they were unable to stop Trojans scoring 2 further tries in the 2nd half both down the right wing.
Fulltime Swindon 10 Trojans 17

Swindon Try Scorers
Daniel Cooper (4)
Alex Down (2)

The Swindon team
Charlie Armstrong, Tom Barron, Shaun Barlow, Daniel Cooper, Liam Davis, Alex Down, Tom Fletcher, Josh Haynes, Ciaran Price, Luke Rumble, Jonathon Sara, Adam Stephens, James Whelan, Jake Wojtowicz.

Overall a fine team performance by Swindon who were a credit to the club and received praise not only from the referees but opposition players and coaching staff. Swindon played well above expectations and let opposition reputations count for nothing.
The team were aided by the coaching team of Gareth Davis, Steve Davis, Neil Armstrong and Neil Cooper along with vocal support from the many parents treated to 4 fine games of Rugby, a fitting finish to a rollercoaster season with some disappointing lows but also some fine performances including Fairford and Bradford on Avon.

Swindon travelled to Bradford on Avon hoping to avenge their defeat earlier in the season. Swindon kicked off and were soon troubling the home team with some strong tackling and after extensive pressure Alex Courtley broke down the left flank and dived over to open the scoring with Adam Stephens duly converting the try. This woke Bradford who put together several moves before scoring their opening try from open play. Straight from the kick-off Swindon put Bradford under immediate pressure and following a Swindon scrum Alex Down drove over on the right wing. Bradford ran in 2 further tries to round off the first half scoring neither converted.

Halftime Bradford on Avon 15 Swindon 12

Bradford began the 2nd half much stronger and ran in 2 tries with no Swindon reply and appeared to be opening up a gap but Swindon had not read the script and powered back with a fine run from Alex Down before Jake Wojtowicz took a quick penalty 5 yards out to dive over and score with Adam Stephens converting. Swindon continued to pressure and following another fine run from Alex Down, Adam Stephens picked up the loose ball to score under the posts and then convert. Bradford scored 2 further tries before the final whistle.

Fulltime Bradford on Avon 41 Swindon 26

Swindon played possibly their finest game of the season against a team who have only lost once all season 20 -14 to Marlborough. The whole team gave 110% and were a credit to Swindon showing how far they have come since the 0 – 60 defeat to Bradford on Avon earlier in the season. Hopefully this will carry them forward towards the last game of the season at home to Wootton Bassett which would be the sweetest of victories.

Swindon tries: Alex Courtley, Alex Down, Jake Wojtowicz, Adam Stephens
Swindon conversions: Adam Stephens (3)

The Swindon team
Charlie Armstrong, Tom Barron, Shaun Barlow, Daniel Cooper, Alex Courtley, Liam Davis, Alex Down, Tom Fletcher, Scott Harflett, Josh Haynes, Luke Rumble, Jonathon Sara, Adam Stephens, James Whelan, Anthony Willis, Jake Wojtowicz.

Swindon kicked off into the wind and made early progress deservedly opening the scoring when Jonathon Sara dived over after continued Swindon pressure near the Fairford line. The try was duly converted by Adam Stephens. Fairford did not give up and came back scoring 2 running tries before a fine run from Daniel Cooper resulted in a try near the corner flag.
Halftime Fairford 14 Swindon 12

Swindon started the 2nd half stronger and after several impressive plays, Adam Stephens dived over to score and retake the lead. Fairford retook the lead and appeared to be heading for victory but Swindon continued to press with fine runs from Tom Fletcher and Adam Stephens before Daniel Cooper once again ran half the length of the pitch to score with 5 minutes remaining. Fairford to their credit never gave up and should have scored again but for a great team display in defence from Swindon.
Fulltime Fairford 19 Swindon 22

Victories have been hard to come by this season but this was fully deserved and a testament to Swindon’s resilient nature, never say die attitude and TEAM SPIRIT.

Both teams and the referee should be congratulated for a fine open game of rugby which was entertaining, tough and fair.

The Swindon team
Charlie Armstrong, Tom Barron, Shaun Barlow, Daniel Cooper, Tom Enstone, Josh Haynes, Luke Rumble, Jonathon Sara, Adam Stephens, James Whelan, Anthony Willis, Jake Wojtowicz.

Swindon visited Corsham looking to secure their first win of the year and started well pressurising Corsham from the kick-off. Although played on a sticky clay soil pitch both teams to their credit tried hard to play a running game. Swindon were the first to score when after several plays Adam Stephens dived over on the left wing. Further pressure in the first half resulted in a second try this time Daniel Cooper diving over under the posts, which Adam Stephens converted.

Halftime Swindon 12 Corsham 0
The second half opened more brightly for Corsham who scored a try in the corner. From the kick-off Swindon returned the pressure and scored a penalty try under the posts. Corsham continued to cause Swindon problems scoring a further 2 tries but were denied by Swindon’s determined defensive play.

Fulltime Swindon 17 Corsham 15

A real team performance from Swindon who thoroughly deserved the victory in difficult playing conditions. Everyone could be pleased with their commitment and effort against a Corsham team who refused to lay down and die.

Swindon Team: Charlie Armstrong, Tom Barron, Shaun Barlow, Daniel Cooper, Conner Crespin, Liam Davis, Alex Down, Tom Fletcher, James Haimes, Josh Haynes, Luke Rumble, Jonathon Sara, Adam Stephens, Anthony Willis, Jake Wojtowicz

Swindon travelled to Trowbridge with 13 players and were on the back foot for the entire first half and fell behind 37 – 0. Swindon faired better in the second half and after continued pressure Tom Fletcher forced over in the corner to score his first try for Swindon. As Swindon’s confidence increased they twice punctured holes in the Trowbridge defence allowing Daniel Cooper to score with a fine run from his own half. Late in the game Adam Stephens rounded off a fine display to break on the left and score. Swindon ran in 4 tries with 1 conversion, the game ending Trowbridge 49 – Swindon 22.

Swindon tries: Tom Fletcher, Daniel Cooper (2), Adam Stephens. Swindon conversions: Adam Stephens.

Swindon Team: Charlie Armstrong, Callum Ayris, Tom Barron, Shaun Barlow, Daniel Cooper, Conner Crespin, Liam Davis, Tom Fletcher, Josh Haynes, Jonathon Sara, Adam Stephens, Jake Wojtowicz, Scott.

Swindon U-14 v Reading U-14 on 02/10/05

 Following Swindon’s magnificent display against Supermarine they entertained possibly one of their hardest opponents of the season with the visit of Reading to Greenbridge Road. Swindon started positively but were soon forced on to the back foot by Reading’s strong tackling and accurate flowing passing. Reading scored 3 tries and one conversion before Swindon opened their account when Adam Stephens ran through several tackles to score under the posts and then convert. Reading scored a further try and conversion before a try saving tackle on the Swindon line by Connor Crespin.

Half Time Score: Swindon 7 Reading 24

            The second half opened in the same manner as the first and despite some determined tackling Reading ran in 3 further tries and a single conversion before some sustained Swindon pressure brought about a weaving run and a try under the posts for Daniel Cooper which Adam Stephens converted. Reading ran in a late try and conversion before the final whistle.

Swindon showed strong team spirit throughout the game and dominated periods of the game and should have scored more points but for the well organised Reading defensive line.

 Full Time Score: Swindon 14 Reading 48

 Try Scorers:

Swindon - Adam Stephens, Daniel Cooper 

Conversions:

Swindon Adam Stephens (2)

 The Swindon team

Charlie Armstrong, Callum Ayris, Tom Barron, Shaun Barlow, Daniel Cooper, Conner Crespin, Liam Davis, Alex Down, Tom Enstone, James Haimes, Josh Haynes, Philip Lloyd, Tom McCarthy, Ciaran Price, Luke Rumble, Adam Stephens, James Whelan, Anthony Willis, Jake Wojtowicz.

Swindon v Supermarine U-14 Wiltshire Cup Competition 24/09/05

The season opened with the visit of Supermarine who due to a shortage of players had to concede the Cup game. In its place a friendly 12 a side match was arranged with Swindon electing to kick into the wind in the first half. A strong Swindon side pushed forward straight from the kick-off and scored 2 early tries the first from Adam Stephens and the second from Alex Down. Swindon’s Backs ran the game and after good play from Callum Ayris, Adam Stephens added a third try which he also converted. Swindon went from strength to strength and following Supermarine pressure from the restart Alex Down and Tom Barron broke to feed Liam Davis for the 4th try. Supermarine then rallied and Charlie Armstrong made a fine try saving tackle 5 yards from the Swindon line before Supermarine pressure told and they scored in the corner shortly before the half time whistle. Half Time Score – Swindon 22 Supermarine 5. The second half started with further tries for Adam Stephens and Alex Down with Adam Stephens converting the second before a fine individual try for Daniel Cooper which Adam Stephens also converted. 2 further tries by new boy Ciaran Price and Adam Stephens completing his hat trick followed before a late consolation try for Supermarine ended the game.

Full Time Score – Swindon 51 Supermarine 10

Try Scorers: Swindon Alex Down (3), Adam Stephens (3), Liam Davis (1), Daniel Cooper (1), Ciaran Price (1)

Conversions: Swindon Adam Stephens (3)

The Swindon team Charlie Armstrong, Callum Ayris, Tom Barron, Daniel Cooper, Conner Crespin, Liam Davis, Alex Down, Tom McCarthy, Adam Stephens, Jake Wojtowicz, James Whelan, Ciaran Price, Tom Enstone, James Haimes, Luke Rumble, Shaun Barlow.