Royal Wootton Bassett secured a dominant 60-0 local derby victory over Swindon to move nine points clear at the top of the table.

The opening attack from Swindon was well-defended and Bassett immediately broke out. Swindon were penalised for an offence at the breakdown on their own 22 and full-back Troy Cusack slotted a simple penalty for a second-minute lead.

In the ninth minute, the pace of the Bassett line was on display when centre Henry Toomer evaded a Swindon tackle before racing over the line. Cusack converted for an early 10-0 lead and Swindon were set to struggle with the Bassett speedster all afternoon.

Bassett were now camped near the Swindon line and stretching the defence and centre Connor Tomley went in the corner to add to the Bassett lead, but the conversion was missed.

Bassett were dominating territorially now but it took another 10 minutes to add to the score. A lovely lineout take from debutant Sam Collier saw the ball shipped right along the line to John Fruci-Jewell who went over in the corner.

Just before the interval, Bassett were awarded a free kick following an offence at the scrum. A quick restart allowed Sam Baker to deftly punt and set Thomas ‘Tucker’ Blinkhorn in to touch down for the try bonus point.

Despite the pressure continuing after the break, Bassett were unable to add to their tally until the 22nd minute when a long Swindon clearance was superbly fielded near halfway by Cusack who looked as though he might score. The ensuing ruck saw replacement front row Jake O’Neill on hand to dive over for his first score after a long injury break.

Four minutes later Toomer raced around the defence to score his second of the game and Cusack converted for Bassett to lead 41-0.

Swindon held out until 10 minutes from time when they were hit with a triple salvo of tries. A Toomer interception effort started the blitz, Charlie Hix joined the line at a nice angle to dive over, and then right at the death, Toomer added his fourth to cap a thrilling man-of-the-match performance.

Bassett will be pleased to have claimed the local bragging rights and now look to be in a two-horse race with Chippenham at the top. Swindon will feel they did enough to suggest that they can pick up points against some of the weaker sides to plot a course for survival.