SWANAGE AND WAREHAM eased into the first round proper of the Powergen RFU Senior Cup with a convincing 35-10 victory over Clevedon - exacting revenge on the Bristol outfit who beat Swans in the promotion play-off to South West Division One at the end of last season.
Clevedon's defence held firm until winger T Thie was penalised for a high tackle in the 20th minute. Phil Graves opened the scoring with the kick after two earlier efforts had narrowly missed.
More significantly, Thie was sin-binned for his role in the incident and full-back Mick Lowis was yellow carded for throwing a punch, leaving the visitors two men down for the next 10 minutes.
Swans made their numerical advantage count with two telling tries. First, scrum half Scott Smyth scored in the corner after an overlap down the right flank, then prop Richard Williams completed a 50 metre flowing passing move.
Restored to full-strength however, Clevedon were able to pull a try back before half time. Owen Biggins was first to the ball after a neat chip ahead and to leave the game well poised with the visitors trailing by just seven points at the break.
But Swans soon restored their 13-point advantage after the re-start as Andrew 'Billy' Smith neatly kicked the ball over the top of the advancing line before running on to it to score.
Swans capitalised as Clevedon showed signs of tiring. Following a penalty, a typical catch and drive move had Maurice Elford going in for Swans' fourth try, which the skipper Graves duly converted.
Graves' kicking punished another Clevedon error before full-back Jamie Marshall scored in the 70th minute after fine work down the left wing from Roger Templeton.
Clevedon sub Rob Cates had time to bag a consolation try but the boys from Bristol were convincingly beaten.
Swans now travel to Norfolk to take on North Walsham in round one on Saturday.
Swans: Marshall, Templeton, D. Graves, P. Graves, Gould, Smith, Smyth, Peters (Randle 66), R. Elford, Williams, Snowden, Burgess, M. Elford, Warren (Steeden 67), Robbins (Gordon 62). Subs not used: Leak, Sammons, Welsh.
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