SWANAGE & Wareham blew a golden opportunity to open a gap at the summit of Southern Counties South when they slumped to a 24-10 defeat by Trowbridge on Saturday.

Swans' clash with the third-placed Wiltshire side was the only match in the division to survive the weekend cold snap.

The game was just 12 minutes old when the visitors scored a converted try to claim a 7-0 advantage.

That lead was quickly extended to 10-0 as Trowbridge kicked a penalty, but Swans rallied through Kirk Jones' 27th-minute try, with Phil Graves adding the extras.

Graves's boot supplied another three points on the stroke of half-time – but not before Trowbridge had crossed for another converted score.

The sides' respective defences largely held sway after the break, with Swans desperately attempting to put a dent in their 17-10 deficit.

It would be Trowbridge who scored the half's only points, though, their third converted try of the afternoon securing victory and leaving Swans protecting a three-point advantage over Wimborne at the top of the table, with Trowbridge a point further back.

Swans will try to get back on track when they visit Bath-based Walcot on Saturday.

Swans: A Smith (Warren, 40), Barton, Romanillos, D Elford, Parry, Graves, Tomes, Sheldrake, R Elford, Wyburgh(Audley, 50), Oliver, Collins, Desmond, Ratuqalovi, Jones, G Smith.