SWANAGE & WAREHAM II 22 WEYMOUTH 29

WEYMOUTH overcame a half-time deficit to maintain their nine-point cushion at the Dorset & Wilts One South summit.

Trailing 12-7 at the break, head coach Paul Harding made a double change, bringing on Lian Berry and Ian MacConnachie.

And the move paid off as the latter soon touched down, paving the way for a sixth successive league victory.

Harding said: “It was a tough old battle. They put out a good side and made us work hard for our win. We were actually 12-0 down with both of their tries coming from catch and drive moves – their third later on in the game also came from the same route.

“But we scored from a catch and drive of our own and were 12-7 down at half-time. The first half was hard fought and neither side got into the opposition 22 on more than two occasions.

“They were probably the better side in the first half. I brought on Ian in the centre and Lian at prop to try and make an impact.

“We all had a chat at half-time about what we needed to do and the guys responded.

“Ian immediately made some powerful runs and one resulted in a try, which Nick Sheppard converted to put us in the lead.

“Dave Oakford was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle in the last seven minutes and with Adam Hoxey going off with a hamstring pull we were down to 13 men.

“But we kept our composure and saw the game out. This game was a potential banana skin for us so I’m really pleased with the way the guys responded.

“Harry Charles had an outstanding game on the flank and Mike Robinson did extremely well in the second row, but it was a good performance all round.”

After falling 12-0 behind, Wey-mouth got off the mark when Craig Gelderd profited from a catch and drive move and Nick Sheppard added the extras.

Replacement MacConnachie then crossed the whitewash and with Sheppard again dispatching the conversion, the visitors were in front for the first time.

Sheppard then added a further 10 points courtesy of a converted try and penalty while the Swans kept themselves in with a shout thanks to a penalty of their own.

Back came Weymouth and Gelderd was on hand to notch his second try of the afternoon, which went unconverted.

And although the Monmouth Avenue outfit conceded a late try, and were reduced to 13 men, they stood firm to secure the spoils.

Next to face the league leaders are rivals Bridport, who ran out 20-13 winners at Sherborne Seconds.

* Puddletown returned to the top three in Dorset & Wilts Two South without lifting a finger.

Opponents Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew were unable to raise a side and therefore forfeited the game, handing five points to the Villagers.