Sport

purbeckgazette.co.uk Late comeback effort falls short

SWANAGE and Wareham had to travel to Avonvale, who play in Bathford in Somerset.

After a close start, a fine move after 12 minutes saw winger Harry Spyers go in for a try close to the posts. Steve Woolley converted.

However, straight from the kick-off a catch/drive by the hosts resulted in a converted try to make it 7-7.

Three penalties to Avondale took them into Swans’ 5m line and another catch/drive saw them score in the corner.

Ten minutes later Avonvale repeated this, and just before the interval the hosts scored a try by a winger in the corner.

So at half time it was 22-7 in favour of Avonvale.

Swans started well in the second half with a move by the three quarters sending Swans’ other winger brother to Harry Spyers, Luke Spyers in at the corner after 43 minutes.

However, Avonvale responded five minutes later with a converted try to make it 29-12.

Swans replied on the hour with a converted try by prop forward Jack Jenner following a push-over try. Woolley added the extras.

Swans gave away a penalty under the posts, making the score 32-19 after 70 minutes.

Three minutes later another push-over try by Swans this time by captain James Casey, which Woolley converted, brought Swans’ score to 26 points. But a mistake close to Swans’ posts enabled Avonvale to score another converted try, making the score 39-26. In the last minute another push-over try – this time by replacement hooker Craig Foskett – and conversion by Steve Woolley ensured that Swans picked up their second bonus point, leaving the final score Avonvale 39pts Swanage & Wareham 33pts.

Swans team: R.Ferguson, L. Spyers, W.Slack, M.Spencer, H.Spyers, S.Woolley, C.Tomes, S.Waterman, J.Daniels, J.Jenner, M.Seaton, G.Climie, L.Hardy, C.Moag, J.Casey, S.Kitkat, C. Foskett, O.Peters.

RON BUTLER

MATCH REPORT: Avondale 39 Swanage & Wareham 33

Cricket’s Phil spills on life’s thrills

CRICKET legend Phil Tufnell, pictured centre, had guests in a spin during the Dorset Sporting Club’s autumn lunch.

The cricketer-turned-TV-personality shared memories and anecdotes from his time in the game, as well as colourful tales from his TV and media career, during the event at Rick Stein’s restaurant in Sandbanks, Poole.

The lunch was sponsored by law firm Ellis Jones Solicitors, which has a branch in Swanage.

Nigel Smith, managing partner at Ellis Jones, said: “Phil was absolutely brilliant company. It was a privilege to have such a legend of the game and born raconteur with us for a very entertaining afternoon.”

Tufnell – nicknamed ‘the cat’ – played 42 tests and 20 one-day internationals for England.

Swans win with last kick of the game

SWANS were home to near neighbour Blandford, and just like the previous week Swans got off to a fast start, let the game go in the middle part of the match, but came good in the final period.

After a couple of penalties to Swans, from a line out the ball was moved outside and centre Tom Munns scored close to the posts after five minutes. Steve Woolley added the extras.

Swans were guilty of giving away penalties and after twenty minutes a catch/drive move by Blandford had them scoring a try in the corner to make it 7-5.

Severn minutes later Blandford scored their second try in the corner, and this time it was converted.

And three minutes later a breakaway by Blandford resulted in a converted try under the posts making the score 7-19 in favour of the visitors.

Swans replied six minutes later with a driving maul with wing forward Conor Moag touching down. Woolley converted.

But just as Swans were on the attack an interception by a Blandford centre had him scoring under the posts making the half-time score Swans 14, Blandford 26.

MATCH REPORT: Swanage & Wareham 29 Blandford 26

The second half started with a couple of penalties to Swans and after a series of phases the ball came out to fly half Steve Woolley who scored close to the posts. He converted himself to make it 21-26.

Blandford came back into the game but Swans’ defence held firm. Just after the hour mark, Swans replacement centre and debutant Sam Bowman scored out wide making the score 26-all.

Swans continued to attack and as the time ran out a couple of penalties were missed. However, in the last minute Swans had another penalty halfway out and this time SteveWoolley converted with the last kick of the game leaving Swans victorious at 29 points to Blandford’s 26.

Swans team: R.Ferguson, M. Spencer, T.Munns,E .Dimescio, W.Slack, S.Woolley, C.Tomes, S.Kitkat, C Foskett, S Waterman, G.Climie, O. Andrews, B.Dennett, C.Moag, M.Seaton, H.Hadd, L.Hardy. S.Bowman.