SWANAGE & Wareham paid a heavy price for conceding a hatful of penalties as they were sunk 26-22 by Southern Counties South rivals Yeovil.

A stirring second-half fightback in Somerset saw Swans edge 22-19 ahead, having trailed 14-5 at the interval and 19-5 just after the break.

But Matt Roberts' double and further tries from Joe Desmond and Rob Elford proved in vain as Yeovil cashed in to score a converted try after Swans had given away a late penalty.

Swans were under pressure from the start and gave away three penalties in the first three minutes.

The hosts capitalised on these mistakes to forge into a 7-0 lead in the early stages.

Swans regrouped and, from a scrum on the Yeovil 22, some excellent possession from the visitors ended with number eight Desmond having an easy run into the corner to make it 7-5.

However, Swans continued to give away penalties, allowing Yeovil to score a try under the posts and reach the break leading 14-5.

Another try saw them extend their advantage to 19-5 before Roberts's first touchdown sparked the comeback.

Hooker Elford powered over to make it 19-15 after 64 minutes before Roberts again found a gap in the Yeovil defence to score close to the posts, with Steve Woolley's conversion putting them in front.

But another penalty was conceded by Swans which pushed them back into their own 22.

And following a series of phases, Yeovil completed the scoring with a try six minutes from time to condemn Swans to a sixth straight league defeat, although they did pick up two bonus points.

Swans: Smith, Haw (Slack, 60), Watkins, Woolley, Hardy, Parish, Tomes, Audley, Elford (Daniels, 53), Wyburgh (Scott, 58), Dicker, Moore, McCaffrey, Roberts, Desmond.