DORCHESTER SECONDS 48 WARMINSTER SECONDS 12

DORCHESTER advanced into the final of the Dorset & Wilts Second XV Shield with a convincing victory over Warminster.

The semi-final clash was played in terrible conditions and it was a huge credit to both sides that they served up such an entertaining game.

Although playing a league lower than Dorchester, Warmin-ster arrived with what looked like a physically imposing side.

With the hosts electing to play up the slope with the wind, the game did not start well when the kick-off went less than 10 metres.

Warminster elected for a scrum on halfway, intending to use their larger pack, but Dorchester’s forwards responded with a well-timed drive to win it against the head.

Scrum-half Harry Smith then box kicked to touch, deep into Warminster’s 22, where the home side exerted pressure, never allowing the visitors to clear the danger too far.

It was the experienced second-row Paul Broadbent who got the first score after valuable ground was gained through a series of pick and drives. Matt Fry added the extras from out wide.

With the elements to their backs, Dorchester pinned War-minster deep into their own territory, and it was only handling errors that prevented the home side adding to their early score.

Midway through half, the county town then cut loose with first Lee Harvey crashing over followed by scores from Luke Read and Matt Fry, with the latter adding two successful conversions.

Warminster hadn’t given up though, and they got a well-deserved try when their outside- centre made a break to take the score to 26-7 at the interval.

The visitors must have been disappointed when the wind abated in the second half, however, at this stage, Dorchester’s superior fitness was beginning to tell, and when the impressive Jake Chislett made a surging break, the opposition could not get near him.

Harry Smith then broke down the blindside to touch down before veteran Russell Trent finished off a fine move to go in under the posts, Warminster replied with another consolation score before replacement Morgan Jones scored a fine individual effort, with Fry adding the extras to seal a comfortable win, and secure a place in the final for the second season running.

This was a determined performance from a very youthful Dorchester second string but one which bodes well for the future of the club.

Highwood Man of the Match: James McQuillan