SWINDON RFC - 2nd XV
Dorset & Wilts Cup Run 1991/92
1st Round - Saturday, 9 November 1991
Bye
2nd Round - Saturday, 30 November 1991
Marlborough 3 Swindon 2nd XV 24
Having already beaten Marlborough's first XV this season, Swindon made tough going of what should have been a relatively easy match. In a first half punctuated with injuries and stoppages by the referee, Swindon went into the interval with a narrow lead 3-9. An early penalty from Micky Evans was leveled soon after and it took a crash try by skipper Gareth Webb, following a tapped line-out, for Swindon to ease ahead. It took twenty minutes of the second half for the Swindon side to show any signs of competitive and aggressive rugby when Marlborough killed the ball in front of the posts for an easy penalty, converted by Evans. Ten minutes later, another penalty in the same position was neatly disguised by Evans who tapped and ran two yards before releasing to prop Steve Davis to score a simple try. The conversion made it 3-18 and in the dying minutes, powerful scrummaging saw Marlborough pushed back under their posts to allow scrum-half Andy Shiner to pick up and dive over. A simple conversion gave a final score 3-24 to Swindon, who now look forward to the quarter-finals on February 8th.
3rd Round - Saturday, 8 February 1992
Warminster 0 Swindon 2nd XV 20
In a hard fought first half in this Dorset & Wilts cup tie, Swindon could only breach the tight Warminster defence once in the first half. Dave Shillington scored an excellent try which was converted by Ian Groves to enable Swindon to go into the break leading 0-6. The second half was a different story with the Swindon forwards dominating all set plays. A penalty try for killing the ball at a certain pushover was again converted by Groves to increase Swindon's lead to 0-12. Soon after, prop Steve Davis broke away and set the ball up neatly for skipper Kevin Logan to crash through two tackles and roll over the line. Victory was sealed when Groves went over for a try near the end. Final score 0-20 to Swindon who now look forward to the semi-final in two weeks time.
Semi-Final - Sunday, 23 February 1992
Swindon 2nd XV 12 Wimborne 10
Having beaten Wootton Bassett in the previous round, Wimborne came to Greenbridge Road with high hopes of reaching the Final of the Dorset & Wilts Cup. Their early pressure resulted in a converted try and it looked as if their hopes would be justified. Using the wind to their advantage in the first half, Wimborne pressed ahead and a lucky bounce saw their winger steal a second try to go into the break with a 0-10 lead. Stern talking by acting skipper Ian Binfield obviously raised the Swindon game as they came out and immediately attacked the visitors with some fierce rucking and mauling. A pushover try saw Darren Rochester pick up and score his 14th, and probably most important, try of the season. Wimborne looked totally bemused as they faced numerous onslaughts in their half and began to give away a number of penalties. Ian Groves shaved the posts with a couple before he finally got one to bring Swindon within one point. Swindon continued their pressure and, with only five minutes remaining, got another penalty. The silence as Groves patiently placed the ball was broken by a deafening roar as the ball sailed between the uprights for Swindon to take the lead 12-10. Wimborne then threw everything at Swindon and only excellent tackling, especially from winger Keith Cleverley and man of the match Kevin Bishop at full-back enabled Swindon to hold the lead for the agonising final minutes of play and injury time. Swindon will face Swanage and Wareham in the final, to be played on Sunday March 15th.
Swanage & Wareham 7 Swindon 2nd XV 0
Swindon travelled to Salisbury full of high expectation for the Final of the Dorset & Wilts 2nd Team Cup. Swanage didn't win this game, Swindon threw it away and played into their hands. With the match only one minute old, Swindon conceded a silly penalty for offside which was slotted over for an early 0-3 lead to Swanage. Mid-way through the half, Swanage attacked swiftly and stole a try in the corner, despite the attentions of two Swindon players who tried to halt the player's progress. The referee indicated that 'on the line' was good enough and Swindon trailed 0-7. Swindon stepped up a gear and halted the Swanage breaks through the back division and in the second half it was one-way traffic in Swindon's favour. However, wave after wave of solid forward power was soaked up. A combination of wrong options being taken and a series of kickable penalties being missed, ensured Swanage could hold on and defend their narrow lead. There were some outstanding performances from Barnes and Cakebread on the flank and the front row trio of Webb, Binfield and Kemble were exceptional in the scrummage. With only six weeks remaining in the season, Swindon can be proud of their achievement of reaching the Final for the first time since 1987 and can plan their campaign for next year's competition.
Click here for 2nd XV Cup Final Team Photo