SWANAGE & WAREHAM II 28 PUDDLETOWN 15

PUDDLETOWN lost for only the second time away from home in Dorset & Wilts Two South this season.

The Swans had the better of the first half and a penalty gave them an early lead.

The remainder of the half continued in the same vein, with the home side playing the more fluent rugby and Puddletown defending valiantly.

A penalty awarded for a high tackle resulted in the Swans scoring the first try of the afternoon. The conversion made it 10-0 to the hosts.

Puddletown were then penalised again at a ruck in front of their own posts, giving the Swans’ kicker the chance to make it 13-0.

Puddletown came out fighting in the second half and they reduced the deficit to 13-5 when Jumbo Perrett off-loaded to back row colleague Audie Jones who powered over from 30 metres.

Villagers’ centre Matt Watts then gathered the ball in his own half, made ground and fed speedster Sam Stockley. He used his pace to race in for his side’s second try.

Now on top, the visitors were playing attractive running rugby at every opportunity.

They won the ball in their own 22 and Watts showed good hands to catch the ball low down before feeding Stockley on the wing.

A fluent passing move resulted in the ball sweeping from one side of the pitch to other and Jez Michael-Beale touched down in the corner.

That gave Puddletown the lead 15-13.

The Swans came back and, when Puddletown conceded another penalty, their kicker made it 16-15.

A well-worked move from a scrum close to the Puddletown posts ended with the Swans’ winger scything through the visitors’ defence to score under the posts.

Puddletown had the opportunity to convert a penalty for a losing bonus point, but the kick fell short and the Swans cleared their lines.

And on the last play of the game, Puddletown fumbled the ball on their own 10-metre line to allow the Swans another try.