This season has been a write- off for the Swans from the opening weeks of the season and club official Mervyn Rees reckons that next season the side will be better equipped under current boss Kevin Hinge.

"It is up to Kevin what happens next season, but I think he will be looking to bring in a few new players into the club.

"Of course now relegation is confirmed there will be players who don't fancy division one football and it is up to Kevin to do what is right."

Rees agrees that Hinge, who replaced caretaker boss Kim Harris after Paul Holden left to take a coaching role in Gibraltar perhaps came in a bit late in the day.

"Kevin really didn't have a long time to get us out of the mess we were in. He only had six games - compared to 14 under Kim.

"He really came into a no-win situation where he had to start getting results as soon as he came to the club."

But Hinge insists that under his six games in charge he has been impressed with the dedication and effort that his players have given to the cause.

"Apart from the Hampton game where we let them into a three goal start the players have battled and fought.

"It is a shame that I came in with only six games left because I think that we would have been better off than we are now."

Walton (from): Blake, Blackman, Dowling, Dowson, Whelan, Craker, White, Holloway, Adekola, Coates, Rose, Ball, Pickett, Dolan, Collins, Harrison.

Canvey (from): Harrison, King, Davidson, Ward, Smith, Williams, Cooper, Duffy, Parmenter, Jones, Brazier, Gregory, Kerslake, Tilson, Stimson.

All ears on the referee

London Irish are offering 50 fans at each of their last two league games unique access to on-the-spot explanation of every decision made by the referee.

They are looking for people to take part in a marketing exercise for a new contraption called the Ref!Link.

This is an ear piece which allows the wearer to hear what is happening on the field of play and the conversations which take place between the players and the touch judges.

The system will be tried out at the Wasps game on Wednesday, May 17 and the Gloucester game the following Saturday.

If you are interested call Sian Isaac at London Irish for further details on 01932 780 034 or email londonirishrfc@aol,com

So for all those frustrated rugby fans who have spent years scratching their wondering at how the men in black come to take the decision they do this is the ideal opportunity.

Brave Beavers save their top flight status

Hampton & Richmond borough, the small club with the big heart, have once again confounded the soccer experts by maintaining their status in the Ryman League Premier division for another season which will be their third in the top flight.

Hampton beat Harrow Borough 3-1 in what proved to be a comfortable victory as Harrow Borough flattered to deceive. Having got back into the game early in the second half Harrow unaccountably collapsed as the Beavers fought back superbly.

Once the other results came through it was confirmed that whilst no-one has actually been relegated yet Aylesbury United, Boreham Wood and Walton & Hersham could not possibly overhaul the Beavers so they were safe.

Manager Steve Cordery was a relieved and happy man and has promised that next season the team won't leave it so late next time.