DORCHESTER II 5

TROWBRIDGE II 12

A SPIRITED Dorchester second XV were narrowly edged out against their Trowbridge counterparts in the Dorset & Wilts Shield final.

As the whistle blew to start the game, the first few plays were naturally nervy and both sides conceded penalties.

As both sides began to calm, a good break from Julian Dale ended in a penalty against Dorchester and then a sustained period of pressure followed.

Dorchester then won a penalty within kicking range and captain Rob Parker stepped up to take the kick on. Just missing in what were not ideal conditions.

As Dorchester began to find a rhythm, Parker kicked forward and poor return kick from the Trowbridge full-back resulted in good handling from the county town side to make the breakthrough.

A burst from James Kirkpatrick allowed him to offload to Leo Ansell, who touched down after 20 minutes. The conversion was missed.

With more penalties conceded by both sides, Dorchester won a scrum near halfway. Following a break from the back of the scrum by Ed Andrews the referee judged his hand off to be illegal and showed him the yellow card on 28 minutes.

Dorchester continued to defend well against the extra man but eventually succumbed to a try in the corner from the Trowbridge winger. The conversion was missed and the score stood 5-5 at half-time.

Dorchester rang the changes at the break, with a number of replacements coming on, including Paul Broadbent and Ben Parker.

The changes seemed to unbalance Dorchester and the next few plays were scrappy from both sides ending in another yellow card for Dorchester when Parker was adjudged to have kicked through illegally at a ruck. The resultant penalty kick was missed.

A number of kicks were exchanged between both sides to try a different approach in the poor weather and this resulted in a tip tackle on Steve King and yellow card for Trowbridge.

Following a lost line-out from a penalty, Dorchester again defended well and only a try-saving tackle from Josh Hosford preventing Trowbridge going over in the corner.

Dorchester’s defence was now looking tired and, with all the replacements used up early, the players dug deep.

However, a concerted effort by Trowbridge and number of penalty scrums eventually proved too much for the county town side as they conceded a pushover try from five metres.

The referee ran under the posts signalling a penalty try and an easy conversion, which settled the contest at 12-5.

It was not the result the squad wanted, but you could not fault effort of the county town side throughout.

Club president Frank Dike said: “The players all did the club proud and they should hold their heads high after that great effort. I would also like to thank all those who travelled to show their support for the team and the club.”

Coach Ben Parker added: “The lads showed true heart, grit and passion not giving up and that truly showed for the full 80 minutes. We didn’t win but we shouldn’t be disappointed.

“To come from -15 points at the start of the season, to second in the Shield final and mid-table in the league is an achievement.

“Some of the lads put their names forward for consideration into the first XV.”