Swanage & Wareham entertained lowly Reading Abbey in the league last Saturday, but Swans did not have it all their own way and having taken control in the first half were thankful to have won the encounter.

In the first few minutes Swans had to contend with a break by Abbey’s centre, whom was tackled close to Swans line, but then after 5 minutes the home team were awarded a penalty which Phil Graves put into the corner. From the line out, Abbey out jumped Swans, but the ball went loose, bounced up to quick thinking flanker James van Tuyl who ran in unimpeded to the try line. 5 – 0 to Swans. Swans continued to attack the Abbey line and with 12 minutes gone, some fine work by Swans’ centres and fly half set winger Darren Wilcox free to outpace the Abbey defence to score in the corner. 10 – 0. Abbey were not fazed and another break this time by winger G. Dumpies was only stopped on Swans 5 metres line. From the resulting scrum, scrum half Oliver Heath worked his way over Swans try line 10 – 5. Swans went further ahead on the half hour mark as Phil Graves slotted over a penalty kick from the 22 metres line. Half Time Swans 13pts Abbey 5pts.

Swans went on the attack early in the second half, won a couple of penalties but were unable to capitalise from the resulting lineouts. However as one was awarded in kicking distance Phil Graves put Swans 16 – 5 in front after 50 minutes after second row forward for Abbey, Andy Boswell was yellow carded. However Swans did not benefit from the one man advantage as another break five minutes later, resulted in full back Tom Waterhouse, for Abbey running in a try which fly half Adam Hurst converted 16 – 12. Swans appeared to have problems retaining the ball after a tackle, with time and time again losing the ball, but fortunately Swans defence held up. On the hour mark Abbey could have got closer to Swans score, but Hurst hit a post with his attempt. Swans continued on the offensive but could not pressure into points and in the end had to settle for the 16pts – 12 pts victory.

Swans team:- P.Dunsford, D.Wilcox, P.Graves, M.Cottrell(D.Jones 76), J.Blackmore, C.Parish, C.Tomes(P.Sammons 47), J.Sheldrake, R.Elford(capt), O.Andrews, D.Burgess, D.Penney(R.Woodard 72), M.Jacobs, J.Van Tuyl, D.Wright.