SLOUGH RFC bowed out of the Southern Counties Vase after a 33–10 home defeat to Abingdon at Tamblyn Fields.

The Greenies bossed the early exchanges, but Abingdon soon took control and stormed into a 21–0 lead at the break.

The home side responded in the second half and reduced the arrears with an unconverted touchdown.

They also held the visitors at bay for large periods of the second half before their defence was breached twice more resulting in more ties for Abingdon.

Slough had the final say when Tom Young crossed in the final moments for another uncoverted score.

Slough head coach Darran Brown said: “No excuses offered or taken. The players, coaching staff and I are all disappointed not to have progressed. Nobody likes to record a loss.

“The game started in what seems to be a regular pattern of Slough dominance, sadly though without troubling the scoreboard. This seems to drain the players and rejuvenate our opponents.

“I have no doubt that the squad chosen gave their all and sometimes more. Ultimately the starting XV and squad is chosen by me, therefore I must share the responsibility of our current form.” Slough were due to return to Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier action this Saturday with a trip to Littlemore.

But the match has now been cancelled after basement boys Littlemore withdrew from the league.

Nevertheless, Brown is calling for a reaction from his side: “This week we will look at how we reinvent Slough RFC,” he declared. “The players are good players, my job is to find the switch to get this team, squad and players firing again.

“Without being too clichéd we are not far from the complete performance that this group of players has threatened in patches.

“We wish Abingdon all the best for the season, sometimes you just have to take it on the chin and move on. We have a few things to look at and calls to make.” **PICK up a copy of the Observer, out now, for all the latest sports news and action** **FOLLOW the Observer on Twitter at @Observer_sports**