A LACK of discipline and injuries cost Swindon College Old Boys as they continue to search for their first win in Southern Counties North.

Director of rugby Martin Lloyd was left disappointed after his side fell 33-5 at home to Stow-on-the-Wold.

Stow scored two penalties before College struck back with a Tom Birnie try from a driving lineout.

College were then dealt a big blow as they lost two of their starting back row, Luke Sawyer and Nick Tuckett, to serious injuries.

Discipline then became an issue for the hosts, with numerous penalties being awarded.

Following one indiscretion too many, the referee was left with no choice but to award a team yellow to Matt Allen.

After this the infringements kept on mounting and two more players, Eoin Crean and Damon Murphy, were both consigned to the bin, leaving College with six in the pack and a man down in the backs.

That took its toll and, with second-from-bottom Thatcham securing a 26-26 draw, College are at risk of being cut adrift at the bottom.

"We are obviously disappointed with the result," said Lloyd.

"For the first 50 minutes we were in the game and then through a lack of discipline and injuries, we lost our way.

"The first half was a fairly sterile affair, with both teams cancelling each other out.

"The defence was good from both sides with plenty of endeavour.

"Tom Birnie, with the other two front row of Gareth Davies and Micheal Bizley, had a fruitful afternoon.

"Bizley was outstanding in the loose and combative in the tight - he proved to be a handful throughout the entire game and took man of the match for College.

"Clearly three men being consigned to the bin was going to have an impact and Stow were too good a side not to exploit the gaps.

"This was a disappointing result, especially with the news that the team above, Thatcham, came away with a good result.

"There is a dogged resistance within the team and we refuse to let up. Our first win is just round the corner."

Meanwhile, Swindon ended their run of four defeats on the bounce in South West One East with a 27-15 away victory over Reading.