A SPATE of injuries throughout the season took their toll on Bath & Wiltshire Romans as they were beaten 62-12 by Southampton Spitfires.

The Romans started with just a threadbare 13-man squad due to a number of players being forced to sit on the sidelines but made the stronger start with some excellent attacking play, which led to debutant Jake Morris jinking his way over for a try converted by Chris Barter.

Southampton swiftly levelled the scores and the Romans’ injuries began to mount as Lewis Atkinson went off midway through the half, forcing club chairman Chris Chatten to take to the field to help out.

The missing men took their toll and Spitfires ran in enough tries in the first half to put the game away as a contest, although to his credit, Atkinson was able to return to the field in the second period.

The Romans stuck at it in the second half and didn’t give up, and were rewarded with a second-half try from Ryan Willcox, who went on a jinking run to the line, going over near the sticks, Barter converting.

  • THE West of England League Finals take place at Chippenham RFC on Saturday.

Southampton Spitfires take on Oxford Cavaliers in the Plate Final before the West of England Grand Final between Portsmouth Navy Seahawks and Swindon St. George at 3pm.