JOE Desmond went from villain to hero as Swanage & Wareham recorded a 38-22 victory over Southern Counties South rivals Dorset Dockers at Bestwall.

Flanker Desmond was yellow carded for an infringement early in the second half, his absence allowing Dockers to score a try through Chester Clough.

But after Desmond had returned to the fray, he went over for a try of his own to help Swans forge 33-15 ahead.

Hooker Robert Elford opened the scoring for Swans with a try after six minutes, his effort converted by Phil Graves.

However, Dockers full-back Clough kicked a penalty to reduce the arrears, only for Swans to establish a 14-3 advantage thanks to Chris Tomes’s try and Graves’s conversion.

A touchdown from Kirk Jones, with Graves adding the extras, saw Swans reach the break leading 21-3 before Dockers made use of their numerical advantage through Clough’s try.

Another try from the visitors saw the lead cut to 21-15 but a penalty try to Swans, which was converted by Graves, made it 28-15 before Desmond got in on the act to score out wide.

Dockers centre Dan Mallard then ran 70 metres to score a try close to the posts, with Clough adding the conversion to make it 33-22.

Winger Callum Young had the final say when he went over to complete the scoring in the last minute.

Swans: Barton, Parry, Romanillos (Adkins 42), D Elford, Young, Graves, Tomes, Sheldrake, R Elford, Audley (Wyburgh, 40), Penney, Collins, Desmond, Roberts, Jones (Oliver, 62).