SWANAGE & WAREHAM RFC

SWANAGE & WAREHAM  46pts  TROWBRIDGE 2nd 7pts

In their final game in this half of the season, Swans welcomed Trowbridge 2nd XV to Bestwall. It was a bit of a struggle for Swans in the early part of the game, but once they had sorted themselves out they dominated the play in the second half.
It started badly for Swans giving away a couple of penalties early on which took the visitors into the Swans 22, and from a line out Trowbridge did a catch/drive move which led to the first try of the game. This was converted. (0 – 7) after 6 minutes. Swans soon learnt that Trowbridge had a full back who had a long kick, so Swans were frustrated. However a penalty to Swans on the visitors 22, had George Crouch landing a goal (3 – 7) after 16 minutes. From the restart Swans tried running the ball, but a tackle had wing forward Lee Hardy picking up the ball and scoring close to the posts.(8 pts – 7pts) after 20 minutes. Trowbridge came back at Swans as their backs were pretty good, but Swans centres and wing forwards did a splendid job of taking them out for much of the rest of the half. 0n 38 minutes a break down the wing by Ollie Dillon took him into the Trowbridge 22, passed inside to centre Tom Munns who scored out wide. George Crouch added the extras. Half Time Score Swans 15pts Trowbridge 2nd 7pts.
Early in the second half a kick through by Swans had them getting a scrum close to the Trowbridge try line and a drive by the Swans pack had Swans no. 8 Paul Gregory scoring.
Crouch added the conversion(22pts- 7pts) after 43 minutes. A few penalties to each side with Swans trying to run the ball along the backs with Trowbridge tackling well. However on 56 minutes Swans centre Tom Munns broke clear to score his second try and Swans bonus point try.(27-7)
Five minutes later, as Trowbridge attacked Swans 22, an interception by Tom Munns again led him to score his hat-trick of tries to bring Swans score to 32pts. Swans now took charge, and from a backs move resulting in a scrum close to the visitor’s try line, scrum half Olly Peters charged over the line. Crouch added the extras(39pts – 7pts) after 70 minutes. Swans continued to attack, and Trowbridge had a goal line drop out, which Swans ran it along the backs, getting a scrum close to the try line and this time Swans other wing forward Tom Holland was on hand to score Swans seventh try, Crouch added the conversion leaving the final score Swans 46pts Trowbridge 2nd  7pts.
Swans team : Ollie Dillon,George Crouch,Tom Munns, Ed Dimascio, Jacob Marshall, Will Slack
Olly Peters, Joel Andrews, Alex Weatherall, Nick Audley,Kian Salina,George Slack, Tom Horlland,
Lee Hardy,Paul Gregory, --- Zach Wyburgh, Craig Foskett.

OTHER RESULT
Puddletown 35pts Swanage & Wareham 2nd XV 5pts

The 2nds travelled away to Puddletown for their final fixture of 2025, with a brisk winter chill adding to the festive feel of the occasion.

The first half was a closely fought contest, with both sides showing their strengths. Puddletown ran hard with good support lines, putting early pressure on the Swans’ defence. Despite this, Swanage & Wareham dominated the scrum throughout the match, with both teams securing their own lineout ball well.

Puddletown were first to score, capitalising on missed tackles to take the lead. The Swans responded well, crossing the line for their only points of the game before half time, going into the break trailing 10–5.

The second half saw another tough arm wrestle, but Puddletown’s direct running and sharper execution proved decisive. Although the Swans continued to dominate at set piece, they were unable to turn possession into points. Puddletown made the most of their opportunities to run out 36–5 winners.

A hardworking performance from the Swans against a strong home side, with plenty to build on heading into the new year.

RON BUTLER(Publicity Secretary)