SWANAGE & Wareham launched a stellar fightback to trump title rivals Sherborne 27-24 despite trailing by 19 points at the interval.

Having been swept aside by their hosts’ three-try haul during the first half, Swans embarked on a Lazarus-style comeback with Charlie Parish landing the decisive kick during the dying embers.

After a tight opening 15 minutes, Sherborne went in front through Tom Lane’s penalty and their lead was soon extended by centre Ollie Mottram’s converted try.

A swift catch-and-drive was rounded off by Swans' stand-in skipper John Sheldrake to halve the deficit but Sherborne continued to use the wind and scrambled over from a scrum for another converted effort.

Five minutes before half-time, matters got worse for the Swans with a third converted try making the score 24-5 at the interval.

Sherborne had conceded a thrifty total of 64 points in their opening five league matches – all of which they had won – but Swanage mustered a magnificent recovery which began with Charlie Rowberry’s try down the blind side.

Parish added the extras and suddenly Swans had the beating of the home side’s pack with Sheldrake’s second on 54 minutes coming as no surprise.

Amid the panic and scrum pressure, Sherborne simply buckled and flank-forward Daffyd Wright took full advantage, outwitting his opponents to seal a bonus point with Parish’s conversion levelling the match at 24-24.

Sherborne briefly stirred and could have led with a penalty of their own which droppd just short of the posts but Parish needed no second invitation to settle matters late on, landing his effort with aplomb to the joy of the travelling brethren.

Swans manager Tom Dillon said: “It was awesome. We didn’t expect to come back from 24-5 down but the boys did it and I am incredibly proud of the way they played in the second half.”

Swans: Baird, Rowberry, Cottrell, Graves, Parry, Parish, Smyth, Audley, Sheldrake, Wyburgh (Taubale, 48), Penney, Collins, Scott (Wright, 48), Jones, Desmond, Spencer.

OTHER RESULTS: Swanage & Wareham II 38 Salisbury II 0, Swanage & Wareham III 41 South Wilts 10.