PHIL Graves has pledged to use last season's 71-0 National Trophy mauling at Bridgwater & Albion as a "learning experience" as Swanage & Wareham prepare to face National League big-guns Rosslyn Park in this year's first round.

Swans host the Londoners on October 13 after sealing their place in the draw thanks to last season's Dorset & Wiltshire Cup triumph.

And Graves believes his Bestwall charges can take plenty of positives from their first-round exit last term, ahead of the clash with Rosslyn.

The Swans skipper said: "It's a good draw to have against a side that has really been at the top of the tree in the past.

"It's a difficult draw, but we'll be confident with the home advantage.

"We had quite a young side out for the Bridgwater game as we had a few injuries, but it didn't pay off that day.

"The scoreline was only 25 or 28 nil with 60 minutes gone in that game so we did quite well for the first hour. We just need to keep going for the full 80 minutes this time around."

Rosslyn ply their trade in National League Three South, alongside Bridgwater, but were stalwarts of the old Courage League (current Guinness Premiership), where they battled with the likes of Bath, Harlequins, Gloucester and Leicester between 1987 and 1992.

Graves added: "They are a big side and hopefully, injuries permitting, we can give them a game."

Meanwhile, Swans begin their defence of the Dorset & Wilts Cup against rivals Wimborne at Bestwall on December 8, with the winners set to meet South West Two East new boys Wootton Bassett or Southern Counties South outfit North Dorset.

Bournemouth Lions start their county cup quest with a visit to Chippenham.