Rugby round-up: Windsor show survival spirit against Cobham

Windsor in action recently against London Cornish. Photo: Gaynor Goss.

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Windsor remain bottom of the Regional 2 Thames division, with only 18 points accrued from their 15 matches so far, but they demonstrated enough character in Saturday’s 20-12 defeat to promotion challengers Cobham to suggest they can still get themselves out of trouble.

While they didn’t pick up the positive result they would have wanted after 80 plus energy-sapping minutes, they should take plenty of heart from a display, and score line, that will be noted by their rivals at the bottom of the table. Earlier in the season, Windsor were hammered 50-8 at home to Cobham, but this was a much closer affair, which suggests Andy Symons’ side are developing into a more competitive outfit.

They trail second from bottom Beaconsfield - who they beat 18-3 earlier this month - by just four points and third from bottom Haberdashers by five. However, buoyed by their improving form and the knowledge that five of their seven remaining games are at Home Park, they should believe they can climb above both of those sides and look to then bridge the gap to ninth placed Fullerians on 30 points.

Next up for Symons’ side is a home game with seventh-placed Belsize Park on Saturday, January 21.

Marlow were unable to build on their victory over Swindon College Old Boys last week as their game at Thatcham was postponed due to the weather and the state of the playing surface.

They bounced back after the Christmas break with a 25-10 victory over Swindon, maintaining the pressure on leaders Chinnor at the top of the table. Chinnor also weren’t in action at the weekend, so the gap remains at four points.

On Saturday, Rory Greenslade-Jones’ side are due to host third placed Bicester at Riverwoods in a match that can be live streamed. Go to the club’s website to find out how.

Bicester should give their hosts a good game having moved to within four points of them with Saturday’s 26-10 victory over High Wycombe.

In the Berks, Bucks & Oxon South Division, sixth placed Slough are due to host Newbury 2nds on Saturday off the back of a hugely encouraging 20-17 win over league leaders Tadley.

The Greenies have struggled a little for consistency this season, having won eight and lost five of their matches so far, but having condemned Tadley to only their third league defeat they should head into this weekend’s match against the league’s second bottom side full of confidence.