MIDSOMER NORTON 71

DORCHESTER 22

DORCHESTER ended a highly disappointing campaign with a heavy defeat at promotion-chasing Midsomer Norton, writes Andy Haworth.

The county town club finished bottom of the Southern Counties South table and will now await their fate.

The hosts, clearly expecting an easy win, threw the ball about straight from the kick off only for Rich Deakin to intercept and stroll into the right-hand corner.

Norton hit back with two almost identical tries with runners driving over from very close range.

For the remainder of the half, Dorchester made good use of the breeze to keep Norton at arm’s length and only conceded one more try before the break.

Norton started the second half at a much increased tempo and added four tries in short order. With things looking distinctly bleak for Dorchester they dug in and, despite losing Adam Makepeace to the bin for 10 minutes, matched the hosts try for try in the final quarter.

Replacement second row Chris Elliott touched down twice and Calum King scored a fine individual try to secure an unlikely bonus point.

Dorchester: Warren, J Underhill, Cottell, A Makepeace, L King, Arnold, J Harries, Ripsher, Clark, G Foot, Deakin, C King, Robson, Lawton, Haskell, Elliott, Ritchie, Baker