WITNEY 47 SWANAGE & WAREHAM 12

THE Swans couldn’t recover from a disastrous start at Witney on Saturday as the hosts secured an emphatic eight-try victory in South West One East.

Witney put the ball deep into Swanage & Wareham territory from the kick-off and moments later the hosts crossed for a converted score.

Playing with a gale force wind behind them, Witney forced the pace and went in for their second try after 18 minutes.

Five minutes later, a Swans penalty took them to the hosts’ five-metre line, the ball went through the three-quarters and centre David Elford outpaced the cover to score out wide.

Witney added a huge penalty from halfway to leave the half-time score at 15-5.

The second period began like the first with a home winger touching down just two minutes in.

The score rose to 32-5 in no time as Witney scored two more tries to leave the Swans flummoxed. A couple more followed before the hour mark and Witney led 42-5.

Swans pressured the Witney line and with 10 minutes to go Robert Elford powered over for Phil Graves to convert. However, there was still time for the hosts to add another try before the end.

  • Meanwhile, Swans' second XV lost 17-7 to Wimborne Seconds in Dorset & Wilts One South and the thirds were beaten 30-12 by Bournemouth Fourths in Three South.