Close Encounters.....

Despite Swindon being bottom of the league this was a close run game, partly due to the City team being a makeshift squad with many of the regular players not being available.
Swindon were the first to score with a penalty after 10 minutes. The best move of the match occurred 5 minutes later. Jamie Trevino took a good ball from a lineout, the ball went down the line to Ash Target who broke through the defence to put the visitors in the lead. With the conversion missed it was just a 2 point lead.
Half an hour into the first half and both teams exchanged penalty points leaving City in the lead by 8 - 6. Dan Rolfe was able to increase the lead before half time with a powerful run through the centre of the Swindon defence. At half time City were in the lead by 15 - 6.
Soon into the second half Ollie Fountain received a yellow card. From the resulting penalty Swindon were determined to stay in the match and quickly scored an unconverted try.
On his return to the field Ollie Fountain scored with virtually his first touch. In addition he kicked a good conversion from the touchline. With the score on 22 -11 City looked as though they held a comfortable lead.
Ashley Hill was next to receive a yellow card for pulling down a maul. Swindon took advantage of City's disarray and taking a quick penalty allowing their centre to score. The conversion was missed but Swindon were back in the game being just 6 points behind.
City's fourth try came following a great break by Dave Matthews. He almost made the Swindon try line but had the foresight to pop the ball to Ash Target to finish the move and extend the lead again. Ollie Fountain again converted to make the score 29 - 16.
There was a lapse in concentration from the visitors soon after their try and poor tackling allowed Swindon a converted try and again were just 6 points behind.
Ollie Fountain's influence in the game came to an abrupt end when he received a second yellow card which was converted to a red card for blocking a Swindon player. The home team elected to take a scrum on the visitor's 5 metre line following the referee awarding a penalty. Swindon attempted a pushover try which ended in a collapse which the referee adjudged as being a deliberate offence against City and awarded a penalty try to Swindon under the posts. With the conversion Swindon were now 1 point in the lead with just 5 minutes remaining.
With just minutes remaining the final penalty was awarded to City. With Ollie Fountain off the pitch Scott Aspinal bravely elected to kick for goal. His attempt was successful and gave City a win by the closest of margins.
The win puts City fourth in the league. They play Reading Abbey at home next Saturday. Reading are third from bottom and so, on paper, City should win but will need to play better than against Swindon.