SWINDON rounded off their 2019 fixtures with a battling victory at home to Southern Counties South high-flyers Frome on Saturday.

The Somerset side travelled to Greenbridge Road sitting second in the league table but were held off by a stubborn Swindon performance as the hosts triumphed 12-7.

Victory means Swindon will start the new year in fourth place and a strong second half of the season could put Nick Brooks’ side in with a chance of an immediate promotion back to South West One East following relegation last term.

Scoring chances were limited on a pitch heavily affected by recent rainfall but Jack Danford and Pete Keel both got themselves over the tryline for Swindon, while Adam Westall added one conversion.

Swindon captain Mike Thompson hailed the guts and determination shown by his side against Frome and was more than happy to win ugly in their final outing before the Christmas break.

“It was a good way to finish off the year. Frome are a good team – and they are second in the league too – so it is a big result for us,” said Thompson.

“We played Devizes the weekend before and lost narrowly 10-7. We didn’t quite get the rub of the green that day and it didn’t go our way in the end.

“This was another tight game against Frome and it was a real physical battle but the lads played really well to get the result and have certainly earned their Christmas break.

“The weather did play a part. It didn’t actually rain on Saturday but it had rained solidly for about three days before the game, so the conditions weren’t ideal.

“I think that played into Frome’s hands a little bit as they are a physical team and it was a forward-orientated game.

“It was always going to be a battle but the lads were tremendous defensively and there were some big tackles flying in all over the pitch.

“We’re really pleased to get the win. We’ve had quite a few wins already this season and we’re in a good place heading into the break.”

Elsewhere in Southern Counties South, Swindon College Old Boys rounded off the year with a 22-22 draw at home to Devizes.

The Pipers Way side have won four of 11 games this season and sit eighth in the table.

Royal Wootton Bassett still have a chance of starting 2020 at the top of the South West One East table after triumphing 19-14 at home to Marlborough in their penultimate match of the year.

The Ballards Ash side surrendered their unbeaten league record when losing to county rivals Chippenham the previous weekend but returned to winning ways at the first time of asking.

Jefeti Vakalalabure, Dan Hale and Troy Cusack all touched down for the hosts, with the latter also adding two conversions.

Bassett sit third in the table, two points adrift of leaders Old Centralians heading into the final round of fixtures of the year this coming weekend.

Alan Low’s side can hit the summit should they triumph at Old Patesians and both Old Cents and second-placed Banbury slip up.

Finally, Supermarine remain in the top four in the Dorset & Wilts Two North table despite coming off on the wrong side of a 46-35 thriller away at Corsham 2nd.