SWANAGE & Wareham maintained their impressive recent form with a 29-7 win over third-placed Sherborne at Bestwall.

Playing with a strong wind in the first half, Swans were soon on the scoreboard as the visitors were penalised on their own 22-metre line and fly-half Charlie Parish landed the penalty.

Swans were kicking for territory, putting Sherborne under pressure and, after 10 minutes, Parish made a break down the centre and linked with Darren Wilcox who took the ball and scored close to the posts, with Parish adding the conversion.

With five minutes to go before the interval, full-back Callum Baird, returning to the first team after being out with a broken collar bone since before Christmas, made 30 metres and passed to winger Karl Barton. He then switched it inside to Baird who crossed for a well-worked try. Parish added the extras to give Swans a 17-0 half-time lead.

At the start of the second half, and as Parish attempted to clear a ball from inside his own 22, it was charged down and was touched down, with James Wilson adding the conversion.

Swans were awarded a penalty after 63 minutes which was put into the Sherborne 22. From the line-out, Swans produced a catch-and-drive move and powered their way over the Sherborne try line, with skipper Robert Elford claiming the score.

Swans had the upper hand and produced another catch-and-drive move seven minutes from time. Number eight Joe Desmond came up with the ball before Parish kicked the conversion to complete a bonus-point victory.

Swans are in fifth position in Southern Counties South on the back of their third successive league win.

Swans: Baird, Barton (A Jones, 75), Cottrell, Graves, Wilcox, Parish, Warren, Audley, (Wyburgh, 47), Elford, Sheldrake, Burgess, Collins, Corsie, K Jones, (Scott, 68), Desmond.

  • Swanage & Wareham's second team lost 24-15 at Wimborne in Dorset & Wilts One South.