Swindon went down to their first defeat of the season, 19-15 at Chipping Norton, in Saturday's Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier Division game.

They did, though, have the consolation of outscoring their hosts three tries to one.

In blustery conditions the away team chose to play into the conditions in the first half, and were soon defending their lines.

The Chipping Norton fly-half used his boot to set up good field position close to the 22-metre line.

With possession won, the ball was moved to the backs and a scissors with the inside centre saw him break through the Swindon defence to score, with the conversion added.

The early setback was compounded by the fact that Swindon were continually penalised at the tackle area, which, in a 15-minute period, saw the penalty count 7-0 in favour of the home side, four of which were converted.

This gave Chipping Norton a healthy 19-0 lead within 20 minutes of the start.

Swindon, though, began to find their form and exerted some pressure of their own, with the forwards beginning to dominate in the tight.

Swindon went close on a number of occasions with some desperate defending keeping the visitors at bay.

Chipping Norton's defences were eventually breached, however, when a driving maul saw Scott Chapman get the touchdown.

Swindon looked to continue the second period where the first half had ended, but found it difficult to find their rhythm.

With penalties going against them, and some uncharacteristically poor handling in the back line, Chipping Norton gained enough ball to keep them in the game, and it took 20 minutes before Swindon could find their way over the try line for the second time.

A good kick from fly-half Neil Maycock put Swindon within the opposition 22, and just as in the first half, the forwards won the ball and used the driving maul before Chapman broke from the back to force his way over for the score.

Maycock struck the post with the conversion and did the same with a penalty kick shortly after.

He did get himself on the score sheet with five minutes to go.

A speculative kick downfield bounced kindly, and after a little football control, Maycock reacted first when the ball bobbled between defender and attacker, and touched down.

Swindon pressed hard in the closing stages, but the West Oxfordshire side held firm.