SWANAGE & Wareham withstood a gallant second-half fight-back by Combe Down and eventually prevailed 31-20 against their Southern Counties South rivals.

An excellent first-half showing from Swans saw them establish a 26-3 lead at the break thanks to tries from Alex Parry, Callum Young, Rob Elford and Erin Inglis.

Steve Woolley kicked two conversions and Phil Graves one as Swans were rewarded for their endeavours in the opening period.

However, it was a different story after the break and a remarkable turnaround saw the Bath-based hosts whittle down the lead to 26-20 with Swans paying dearly for a succession of errors.

But they got their act together in the final 10 minutes with Graves going over late on to settle any nerves and complete the scoring in what was an eventful contest.

Swans: Woolley, Young, Romanillos, D Elford, Parry, Graves, Tomes, Sheldrake, R Elford, Audley, Penney, Collins, Inglis, Large, Ratuqalovi. Replacements: Wyburgh, Barton, Warren.