SWANAGE & Wareham's losing start to the season continued as they were agonisingly edged out by visitors Corsham.

The Bestwall side had to settle for a losing bonus point following the 22-21 defeat in Southern Counties South.

Matters looked bleak when Corsham ran in a couple of tries inside the opening quarter of an hour.

But Swans got off the mark midway through the first half when centre Matt Roberts slipped through a gap to cross the whitewash.

Steve Woolley added the extras to reduce to 10-7 the scoreline.

Corsham were camped in the Swans 22 for the best part of 25 minutes in the second half and eventually the pressure told, the Wiltshire side bagging a converted try.

Straight from the restart, the hosts conceded a penalty which put them on the back foot and from a scrum, Corsham scored in the corner.

Some 15 points adrift, Swans sprung into life with seven minutes left.

A catch-and-drive move and several phases allowed replacement hooker Rob Elford to power over, with Woolley converting.

And there was still time for another score, second-row Joe Desmond touching down close to the posts. Woolley added the extras.

Swans went on the attack in the closing seconds but when they gave away a penalty, Corsham booted the ball into touch and the match was over.

Swans squad: Smith, Hardy, Roberts, Elford, Slack, Woolley, C Tomes, Audley, Daniels, Wyburgh, Desmond, Dicker, McCaffrey, Turner, Haw, Jones, R Elford, Scott.