NEWCOMERS Swanage & Wareham may be rock bottom of South West One East but backs coach Mark Woolley reckons the standard is not what it was.

Winless Swans, who won promotion back to rugby union’s sixth tier last season, continued their losing streak with a 47-12 defeat at Witney on Saturday.

Captain John Sheldrake recently cited the loss of winger Charlie Rowberry and number-eight Joe Desmond as pivotal in their struggle to adjust but Woolley revealed the duo will be back from playing for twin club Balfour in New Zealand next season.

And irrespective of their fate this time round, he insists they can build a side to compete at their current level in the long term.

Woolley said: “To be honest, and it may sound bizarre, but we don’t feel the level of rugby is as strong as it has been in the past.

“Charlie, Joe and Callum Baird, a New Zealander, are young but influential players and there is no doubt in my mind that having all three would have been enough to tip the balance in several of our games by now.

“We’re not too worried about it and there is still a positive feeling at the club. It will be tough this season but we just have to be patient, stay committed and put in the foundations to have a good year next time, which I’m confident we will do.”

In Southern Counties South, Dorset Dockers lost back-to-back home matches for the first time in their short history courtesy of a 12-8 reverse to league leaders Midsomer Norton at Potterne Park.

Tim Flower’s men are now fifth in the league table but just nine points from the summit in a congested battle at the top.

Elsewhere, Wimborne were defeated 22-15 at Marlborough to keep the Leigh Park outfit in the thick of the battle to avoid the drop. They face top dogs Midsomer Norton at home on Saturday (2.15pm). Dockers will hope to make up ground when they travel to fourth-placed Devizes.

Tom Knifton and Max Dugdale scored debut tries in Oakmeadians’ 24-17 victory over Dorset & Wilts South One rivals Salisbury.

Trailing 10-5 at the break, Oaks turned the game on its head with some eye-catching play and claimed a bonus point.

Tom Hough and George Johnson also got over the line, while Peter Davies and Nathan Brown slotted away conversions. It was the Meyrick Park side’s third victory of the campaign.

Leaders Bournemouth II were handed a continuation of their 100 per cent record when their Sherborne counterparts could not raise a side. Lytchett Minster beat Blandford 33-8 to retain their perfect start and Wimborne II beat Swanage & Wareham II 17-7.