WEYMOUTH SECONDS 0 DORCHESTER SECONDS 34

WITH an aggregate score of 77-0 in their favour across the two league games between the sides this season, there is no disputing that Dorchester Seconds rule the Ridgeway rivalry for now.

After winning the first Dorset & Wilts Two South meeting 43-0 earlier in the campaign, Dorchester were in confident mood going to Weymouth.

The hosts, on the other hand, were out for revenge following that previous shutout but they had no answer to the visitors’ prowess.

Weymouth started and finished strongly but were undone by a youthful and very strong Dorch-ester side.

The visitors got on the score-sheet as early as the second minute, when from a Weymouth scrum on the edge of their 22, Dorchester took a strike against the head, attacked down the blind side and lock Lee King touched down.

Back came Weymouth and they camped in Dorchester’s 22 but the home side could not find a way through a resolute defence.

The county town side eventually conceded a penalty, which Wey-mouth opted to kick but ultimately fell short.

The rest of the first period belonged to Dorchester who ex-posed Weymouth’s defence with some good attacking rugby. Dan Cree was next to score when he neatly stepped his opposite number to go in under the posts and add the extras.

While Weymouth did have the odd excursion into Dorchester territory the danger was always cleared.

From a line-out on halfway, Dorchester debutant Ed Grassby stole Weymouth ball and from the subsequent ruck, scrum-half Harry Smith spotted a gap close to the breakdown and with blistering pace ran in 45 metres out.

Cree added the conversion to make it 22-0.

The bonus point was wrapped up shortly before the break when Toby Waddington ran a clever line and carved open the home defence.

Weymouth made some tactical changes at the break and wisely stopped kicking possession away, choosing to keep the ball tight.

With their back row and midfield constantly getting over the gain line, Weymouth were camped on Dorchester’s five-metre line for a sustained period, however, the visitors’ defence was more than up to the task.

Dorchester rang the changes with veteran Rich Elliott taking to the field for the final 15 minutes, and it was Elliott, securing turnover ball just inside his own half that saw him make a searing 40-metre break.

He was hauled down just short but again Dorchester pressed and this time it was Weymouth’s turn to defend.

From a scrum on halfway, the visitors moved the ball wide and when Matt Fry gathered at pace he cut inside and a score seemed inevitable. However, a great covering tackle by Weymouth’s full-back snuffed out the danger.

Minutes later, Dorchester number eight Ali Vivian crashed over for the only score of the half, which Cree converted.

This was a terrific team performance from a Dorchester team that contained 15 players who are products of the club’s youth section, six of whom are currently playing under-18s rugby.

The Weymouth side also contained three Colts players in the form of Ben Waller, Charlie Parkinson and Matt Dobson.

Highwood Man of the Match: Joe Underhill