SWANAGE & Wareham were left counting the cost of a nightmare second half as they crashed to a 51-11 defeat at Witney.

Already depleted, Swans were plagued by more problems as a match that started promisingly ended in disappointment.

Despite leading early on and going in level at the interval, Swans were overpowered as they struggled to cope when hit with further injuries and the controversial sin-binning of key man Rory Triniman.

The South West One East clash in Oxfordshire on Saturday started well enough when Swans touched down in the sixth minute. A penalty to the corner provided the chance for a catch-and-drive move by the visitors, which resulted in a score for flank forward Chris Tomes.

Swans’ first setback came on 23 minutes when they lost fly-half Dom Smith to a leg injury, with James Harris his replacement.

Witney restored parity two minutes later, only for Triniman to put Swans back into the lead with a penalty.

A kick levelled matters just before the interval and another injury at the break saw Swans introduce Tom Frampton in place of prop John Sheldrake.

Witney then moved ahead with a try and a penalty before Triniman’s boot cut the deficit.

But a controversial penalty try was awarded to Witney on the hour and Triniman was subsequently yellow-carded. With him in the sin bin for 10 minutes, Swans conceded two more tries as the hosts upped the ante.

An injury to Charlie Rowberry forced another Swans reshuffle and Witney rubbed salt into the wounds with two converted tries late on.

Swans: Smyth, Rowberry (Warren, 70), Triniman, Corsie, Blackmore, Smith (Harris, 23), Armstrong, Sheldrake (Frampton, 40), Elford, Andrews, Collins, Desmond, Jones, Tomes, Scott.