Marlborough won a high scoring game to secure their highest ever league finish
The visitors still seemed to have the long journey in their legs as the game started and Swanage scored a converted try after just 5 mins from a line out move. The score got the big crowd behind them but also served to wake Marlborough up. Ten minutes later, player and coach Lotu Ngungutau scored a great try with move from the front of an attacking line out, Garth Bari converted.
The visitors had moved into a 19-7 lead and then came the first Swanage fight back with 2 tries, one from a line out move and the 2nd from constant pressure. This gave the home team the advantage at half time.
Marlborough started the 2nd half well, Ngungutau scored from a quick tap penalty by Williams and then Williams converted. This was followed by 2 more quick tries from Marlborough, Bari from a well worked move from a line out ball, Williams converted. Then Ratu Vuira from a multi fazed build up, conversion missed.
Swanage again upped their game and applied constant pressure which result in a yellow card the visitors for too many infringements in their defending 22.
Swanage were now dominating the scrum and scored a try from the set piece and shortly after another break away try from a loose pass by Marlborough. Captain Jack Lynd, who gave a man of the match performance playing at number 8, scored from another tap and go penalty taken by Williams, missed conversion.
Marlborough’s last try was another fantastic backs move from a scrum on half way finished by Russ Westcott, the conversion was missed. This was the decisive score at 48 – 36. Although Swanage were awarded a penalty try with the last play of the game for a final score of Marlborough 48. Swanage and Wareham 43.
Marlborough were delighted with a great away win and some of the skills from Jake Williams, Amori Nailago, Leo Tuliva, Garth Bari, Ratu Vuira and Russ Westcott were outstanding. As the scoreline suggests the defence will give the coaches focus for training this week.
