SHERBORNE 29 DORCHESTER 6

DORCHESTER were given a lesson in finishing by Sherborne and ended up well beaten.

Despite enjoying the lion’s share of both possession and territory, the county town outfit were unable to cross the home line and had to settle for just two James Baker penalties.

In contrast, Sherborne scored four tries, two in each half, three of which were converted.

The first try came as early as the third minute, the home side’s big second row going in under the posts without a hand being laid on him.

Baker hit back with a penalty but missed two more reasonable chances before Sherborne’s number five blasted his way through a couple of tackles for his second try. The subsequent conversion and a simple penalty had the North Dorset club leading 17-6 at the break.

Dorchester continued to toil away in the second period. There was no faulting their effort and commitment but far too many mistakes meant the loss of promising positions.

For their part, Sherborne crossed for two more tries. Both centres touching down, the first pouncing on a loose pass near Dorchester’s line and the second benefiting from a clean break through the visitors midfield. The first of these tries was converted to complete the scoring.

This Saturday, Dorchester have a home fixture against winless Supermarine and a chance to regain some confidence.

Dorchester: Warren, Chalker, Cottell (Miners 35), Broadbent (King 60), Makepeace, Miners (Sergison 25), Newsam, Vivian, D Gower, Costigan, Bowden, Bament (Paton 40), Baker, Weller, Read.

Highwood Man of the Match: Shane Costigan