ALAN WALTERS believes that Slough were “very competitive” in a 39-8 home defeat to Didcot in the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier on Saturday.

The Greenies have struggled for consistency in their side since the start to the new season, hence they are still looking for a first win, but Walters argues the group are starting to come together.

“We’re a young side with the colts coming up,” the Slough assistant coach told the Observer.

“We’ve had an issue with discipline before my time but were fantastic on Saturday. As a club that is something we’re trying to put right on and off the field.

“We’ve been very competitive but I’ve not seen a club with so many weddings in September. We had a depleted squad for the first three games with a lot of players missing, but we’re starting to get the group together now.

“We struggled to get a settled squad at the start but at the same time we should have beaten Chesham. We didn’t play to the gameplan we wanted to.

“Against Crowthorne we had a lot of players missing but came away with a creditable draw.

“We beat Risborough comfortably [in the cup] and last weekend we were competitive enough.”

Slough captain Max Miles kicked a penalty within five minutes to open the scoring at Tamblyn Fields, but a penalty for Didcot five minutes later levelled the scores.

A number of breaks for both teams throughout the first half came to nothing until moments before the half-time whistle when a lone Didcot player danced through the Greenies team and up the wing to score.

The conversion was missed but the visitors led 8-3.

Playing catch-up, Slough made a promising start to the second half with an immediate try for Kinter Zvokunzwa.

The conversion was missed, before Didcot slotted a penalty to regain the lead.

The well-drilled visitors then took control of the game, running in four converted tries in an unrelenting wave of attacks on the Greenies try line.

Attempts to narrow the gap by Zvokunzwa, Miles and Curtis Blanchard were unfortunately foiled time and again by a team as strong in defence as they were in attack.

Walters commented: “It was a very competitive game against a well drilled side. We battled well but struggled defensively out wide and Didcot took full control.”

“We were in the game until the 53rd minute when Didcot just got a grip on the game.

“We had three chances all not taken and one disallowed so were very competitive in the game, but the right team won.

“Didcot had three chances and took them well but we were very competitive in the first-half.

“We played well but Didcot were more aggressive and we have a lot to work on."

Slough make the short journey to rival club Drifters this Saturday, and Walters expects another difficult game.

He said: "There are a couple of rivalries this year with Drifters and Phoenix in the league. It's great for Slough and the district to have and I'm looking forward to a difficult game.

“Drifters have a settled squad but made a very similar start to us.

“There is always one standout team and Didcot are going to be up there. The rest of us are quite evenly matched which sets us up for a good battle royal."