Puddletown have continued their perfect start to the season with a second bonus point victory as they defeated Swanage & Wareham seconds 22-19 at Bestwall Road.

Having faced off twice last season in Counties Two the sides are well acquainted with each other and from the off it was clear to see it was gonna be a tough day for the Puddletown forwards.

Early Swans pressure allowed them to open the scoring within the first 5 minutes. Camped inside the Puddletown 22 they continuously recycled the ball in moves reminiscent of Warrenball played by Wales in the 2010s. After many phases they made their way over the whitewash to lead 7-0 following a successful conversion.

Puddle didn’t let their heads drop as they responded quickly. With Swans camped in their own 22 they looked to exit. The kick went high but very short, falling into the hands of Harry Mortimer who slipped the ball through to a waiting Andy Edmunds. Edmunds sliced through the Swans defence and went over to score.

This was followed by a bit more control by Puddle as they dictated the speed of play working across the pitch. As this continued gaps started to open and as they moved the ball from right to left one of those gaps opened up for Joe Malpas who then offloaded it to Jacob Holt who was able to run the ball in from 22 out as Puddle took the lead for the first time.

Following this spell Swans returned to their front up rugby. Two spells in the Puddletown half lead to 2 tries meaning that Swans headed into the half with a 7 point advantage, leading 19-12.

The second half started how the first ended, Swans using their power up front to dictate the game. However, a few moments of indiscipline allowed Puddle to make their way up to the opponents 5 metre line. Puddle setup a maul and with it going nowhere Edmunds distributed it to the backs where Ben Hooper offloaded to Holt who went over for his second of the match.

It was a slip up by Swans which allowed Puddle their next opportunity. A knock on by Swans was reacted to first by Mortimer, this was then put through the hands to Malpas who made it to inside the Swans 22 before being brought down. Full back Hugo Wallington was able to collect the ball off of Malpas and went over to take Puddle ahead again.

Swans continued to pile on the pressure until the final whistle with Puddle holding them up over the line being the one final action of the day with the game finishing 22-19 in Puddletown’s favour.

The result leaves The Villagers in second place, level on points with first place Weymouth behind only on points difference.

Up next for Puddletown is a date with Bridport at Greenfields on Saturday, September 21 with kick off at 3pm