STAND-IN Swanage and Wareham skipper Phil Graves praised Charlie Parish's spectacular try in their 17-7 home league win over Bletchley.

The winger gave his side an 8-0 lead with an early touchdown after gathering a kick forward and crossing the line as the Bestwall Boys maintained their push for South West Division Two East promotion.

Graves, who took the armband in place of unavailable captain Robert Elford, slotted over two conversions and one penalty in Swans' hard-earned victory.

Scrum half Mike McKeown also grabbed a try as the Purbeckers led 17-0 at half-time before Bletchley replied with a late converted touchdown through Les McGarr.

Victory meant Swans remain second in the table, five points behind leaders Chippenham, who beat Henley Wanderers 22-0 away, with one game in hand.

The Dorset club are two points in front of Cheltenham, who defeated Marlow 22-13 away.

Graves said: "Charlie scored a great try and it gave us a big boost early in the game.

"We chipped the ball ahead towards the corner and it took a nice bounce for him, which was good, and he finished the move off with aplomb."

Graves added: "We had a good start and they came back into it after the break.

"We didn't play particularly well in the second half and maybe we thought the game was already won.

"Earlier this season we drew at Bletchley 23-23 so, at the end of the day, they are not a bad side.

"Any win is a good win in this league and it keeps us in the mix.

"Cheltenham and Chippenham both won and if we keep winning, we'll be up there at the end of the season.

"But we still have to play them both away so all we can do is keep winning."

Swanage and Wareham: D Elford, Price-Smith, Grove, Graves, Parish, Harris, McKeown, Sheldrake, Tomes, Andrews (Jones, 60), Cottrell (Burgess, 54), Penney, Warren, Steeden, Harwood, Beaves.