SWINDON suffered a 6-0 defeat at Premiership leaders Isca but it could have been so different for the Isambard side.

Isca took a 2-0 lead early on courtesy of an open-play strike and a penalty stroke after Richie Edwards saved on the line with his body.

The visitors’ reaction was a resilient one and they ended up having the lion’s share of possession in the first period, but the forwards were unable to tuck their chances away.

Had they been more clinical, Swindon could quite conceivably have been 4-2 up at the break, but instead they found themselves 2-0 down.

After the break, the Wiltshire side conceded a third and then buckled under sever pressure late on, Isca netting three times inside the final 10 minutes.

Swindon will be without influential skipper Chris Parsons when they face Team Bath Buccs at Isambard on Saturday (11am).

In Central 2, struggling Wootton Bassett picked up a valuable 5-2 win at local rivals Swindon A.

The visitors had a couple of early short corner opportunities before Patrick Law scored on the counter-attack.

Four minutes before the break, a cross from Jake Nunns resulted in a Swindon player knocking into their own net.

The hosts pulled one back shortly after the restart, but Bassett replied strongly forcing a string of short corners before Law grabbed his second.

Soon after, a breakaway resulted in Matt Daniell making it 4-1 before Swindon got their second.

In the closing stages, Mark Turner converted a penalty flick to ensure a comfortable victory.

In East Central 1, table-toppers North Wilts had no game but remain well clear at the summit.

In women’s hockey, Swindon snatched a 4-3 victory following a topsy-turvy encounter with visitors Hereford in Premier Division 2A.

Both sides had chances early on but it was Hereford that hit the front with a tap-in.

The away side then failed to clear and Clare Tyas coolly directed the ball home for her first goal of the season.

More end-to-end hockey followed before Julie Lewis, Fran Bennett and Lindsey Wall combined to allow Vicki Stokes to smash into the net on the run.

Hereford capitalised on a defensive error to level at 2-2, but Swindon worked their way in behind the defence from a free hit and Lindsey Wall converted.

The away side levelled again after the break in controversial fashion and further chances followed for both teams from short corners, with Sarah Anstey distinguishing herself in the Swindon goal.

The game-winning goal came when Linda Brouwers blasted home from the top of the D following a short corner.

Tyas and Stokes were both named player of the match.

In North Division, a brace from Tegan Buchanan inspired Wootton Bassett to a 4-1 victory over basement side Yate 2nds. Suzanne Lello and Suzanne Coles were also on the scoresheet.

North Wilts had no game in Wessex Division 1.

Swindon 2nds won 5-2 against Chippenham 3rds in Wessex Division 2, the goals coming from Sue Roberts (2), Beth George, Ellie Symonds and Ella Caldwell. Keeper Aly Greetham was named player of the match.