SALISBURY 31 SWANAGE & WAREHAM 3

SALISBURY hooker Luke Esnouf’s hat-trick condemned the Swans to a ninth straight league defeat of the season in South West One East.

The visitors had the best of the play in the early stages, putting the home side’s pack on the back foot as they went in search of the opening score.

But the Salisbury defence was up to the task and the hosts worked their way downfield as the Swans gave away a couple of penalties.

A move along the three-quarters ended with Salisbury captain Liam Gilbert touching down.

Tom Lane converted.

Salisbury immediately put the Swans under early pressure in the second half and prop Gareth Blackborow went over for Lane to convert.

After 55 minutes, Esnouf ploughed his way through the Swans’ defence to make it 19-0.

Fly-half Phil Graves then got the Swans on the board with a penalty but Esnouf crossed twice in the last five minutes.

Those scores gave the hosts the extra bonus point and made the final score 31-3.

Meanwhile, Swanage & Wareham’s second and third XVs lost to Lytchett Minster and Wimborne Thirds respectively.

Swans: Spencer, Parry, D Elford, Stephens, Young, Graves, Tomes, Sheldrake, R Elford, Audley (Wyburgh 47), Corsie, Hogg, Ford, Dennett, Scott.