Swanage & Wareham signed off the first half of their season in emphatic fashion with a convincing 46–7 home victory over Trowbridge Seconds at Bestwall.
The Swans made a hesitant start and were punished early on after conceding a series of penalties that allowed the visitors to build pressure inside the home 22. From a line-out, Trowbridge executed a catch-and-drive move to score the opening try, which was converted to give them a 7–0 lead after six minutes.
Swanage soon discovered that the Trowbridge full-back possessed a long and effective kicking game, which caused early frustration. However, a penalty on the visitors’ 22 gave George Crouch the opportunity to get the Swans on the scoreboard, which he duly took after 16 minutes (3–7).
Moments later, from the restart, Swanage attempted to run the ball and wing forward Lee Hardy pounced on a loose ball following a tackle to score close to the posts, turning the game in the hosts’ favour.
Trowbridge responded with some sharp backline play, but Swanage’s centres and wing forwards defended well to limit further damage. On 38 minutes, Ollie Dillon broke down the wing before feeding centre Tom Munns, who crossed out wide. Crouch added the conversion to send the Swans into the break leading 15–7.
The home side tightened their grip early in the second half. A kick through forced a scrum close to the Trowbridge line, and a powerful drive from the Swanage pack saw number eight Paul Gregory touch down. Crouch converted to extend the lead to 22–7 after 43 minutes.
Both sides exchanged penalties as Swanage continued to move the ball through the backs, with Trowbridge tackling stubbornly. On 56 minutes, Tom Munns broke clear to score his second try and secure the bonus point for the Swans.
Five minutes later, as Trowbridge attacked inside the Swanage 22, Munns intercepted a pass and raced away to complete his hat-trick, taking the score to 32–7.
Swanage were now firmly in control. Following a slick backs move that resulted in a scrum near the visitors’ line, scrum-half Olly Peters darted over for another try, with Crouch again adding the extras after 70 minutes.
The scoring was completed late on after a Trowbridge goal-line drop-out was quickly recycled. Another scrum close to the line allowed wing forward Tom Holland to cross for Swanage’s seventh try, with Crouch converting to seal a comprehensive 46–7 victory.
The win ensures Swanage & Wareham head into the New Year top of the Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South table, one point clear of Walcot and two points ahead of Dorset rivals Sherborne.
The Swans return to action with a trip to Melksham on January 10 (2pm).
Swanage & Wareham team:
Ollie Dillon, George Crouch, Tom Munns, Ed Dimascio, Jacob Marshall, Will Slack, Olly Peters, Joel Andrews, Alex Weatherall, Nick Audley, Kian Salina, George Slack, Tom Holland, Lee Hardy, Paul Gregory, Zach Wyburgh, Craig Foskett.
