SWANAGE & Wareham were condemned to a first league defeat by fellow Southern Counties (South) high-fliers Salisbury following an absorbing contest in Wiltshire.

Two late tries saw Salisbury register a 25-18 victory, although the consolation of a losing bonus point helped Swans remain 14 points clear the top of the table.

Winger Charlie Rowberry gave Swans the ideal start when he raced clear to open the scoring inside the first minute, only for Salisbury to hit back almost immediately through Tom Scott’s converted try.

Swans regained the lead on 19 minutes when a penalty took them into the Salisbury 22 before a line-out ended with fly-half Charlie Parish finding number eight Joe Desmond who went over with Parish added the extras to make it 12-7.

Salisbury reduced the arrears with a penalty to make it 12-10 at the break before Parish also landed a penalty to help the visitors establish a five-point cushion at 15-10.

The teams traded further penalties – with Parish again successful for Swans – to make it 18-13 before a converted try 10 minutes from time saw Salisbury edge ahead.

And a pulsating duel was finally settled in favour of the hosts when a fine move by the Salisbury backs saw them complete the scoring with a try to earn them victory.

Swans: Baird, Barton, Graves (D Elford, 75), Roberts, Rowberry, Parish, Tomes, Sheldrake, R Elford, Wyburgh, Collins, Penney, Corsie (Dennett, 72), Jones, Desmond (Scott, 67).

  • Elsewhere in Southern Counties (South), sixth-placed Wimborne ran out 40-13 winners at basement club Supermarine, who have now conceded 1017 points.