SWINDON St George narrowly missed out on claiming a first victory of the season in the West Division of the Southern Conference League on Saturday as they were beaten 38-34 at home by league leaders Torfaen Tigers.

The slender defeat leaves St George bottom of the five-team table, having lost each of the four games they have played so far this summer.

However, this latest loss was the narrowest suffered by Swindon this term, and they can take great heart from their performance as they went toe-to-toe throughout the 80 minutes with a Tigers side who sit top of the standings.

An even first period unfolded at Greenbridge Road and the hosts trailed 22-16 as the two teams headed back to the changing rooms at half-time.

There was no let-up in intensity in the second half and although Swindon did manage to reduce the deficit, Torfaen remained four points clear by the time the final whistle sounded.

A post of St George’s Twitter page read: “A cracking game between two committed sides. Gutted to come out on the wrong side of the result but congratulations to Torfaen on their victory.”

Swindon are back in action on Saturday when they travel to second-from-bottom Cardiff Blue Dragons.

The Welsh side won 48-20 in the reverse fixture in Swindon back in May – their only victory of the year.