NEWBURY Blues recorded their biggest victory since 2012 as they thumped visitors Swanage & Wareham 67-7 in South West One East, writes Richard Ashton.

The hosts went in front thanks to Dan Thorne’s sixth-minute try, and they moved further ahead shortly after when Iain Herriott cut a beautiful line to go in under the posts, Ryan Trevaskis converting to make it 12-0.

The Newbury pack was in dominant form and they shoved the visitors off their own scrum before Matt Horne picked up and crashed over the line on 31 minutes.

Blues moved further in front early in the second half when Josh Bartlett evaded the Swanage defence to secure the bonus point, and Trevaskis added the extras to put his side 24-0 up.

Newbury crossed again almost immediately as Josh Love benefitted from a powerful 50-metre break by man-of-the-match Horne to go over for a converted score.

Rock bottom Swanage did continue to battle and got on the scoresheet thanks to a try from prop Gary Davies. Philip Graves slotted the kick to cut the gap to 31-7 in the 52nd minute.

However, that merely provoked Newbury into a try blitz, with Josh Winfield sprinting 25 yards for his side’s sixth.

Ben O’Shea then crashed over before Winfield grabbed his second, and when Trevaskis converted a Bartlett try, the half century had been brought up.

Thorne threw a dummy to create space for his second score of the day, and the rout was completed when Ryan Davis ran in from 35 yards. Trevaskis converted to make it 67-7.

Newbury visit Grove this Saturday (2.15pm).

Thatcham RFC’s difficult Southern Counties North season continued as they were edged out 13-7 at Bletchley.

Second-bottom Thatcham host Buckingham this Saturday (2.15pm).

Tadley Tigers kept up their BB&O Premier promotion hopes with a 23-8 victory at Chesham.

They remain fourth – six points behind table-topping Gosford All Blacks – ahead of Saturday’s home game against Chipping Norton.

Hungerford RFC picked up just a third win of the season as they overcame basement boys Wheatley 13-9.

They face a tough trip to unbeaten Milton Keynes this Saturday (2.15pm).

London Irish held on to beat Newcastle Falcons 20-15 in their Aviva Premiership relegation battle at Madejski Stadium on Sunday.

Two Chris Noakes penalties put Exiles 6-0 up at the break, and Alex Lewington and Topsy Ojo added converted tries.

Nili Latu and Marcus Watson both crossed for Newcastle but Exiles held on.
London Irish host Grenoble in the European Challenge Cup on Saturday (3pm).