Portland YOI 7 Dorchester GLADIATORS 26

DORCHESTER Gladiators ended a 30-year exile by becoming the first team since 1980 to visit Portland YOI for a game of rugby.

On that occasion Dorchester also obliged and it was fitting that Brian Eadie, the county town side’s captain that day, was present to witness the match.

A lot of work has gone on at Portland YOI since last September, teaching inmates the basics of the game, and if Dorchester thought they were in for an easy ride they were mistaken, although the visiting team eventually ran out 26-7 winners.

From the start the home team showed huge commitment, strength and discipline against an experienced county town side.

YOI, led well by their impressive scrum-half, gave no quarter and at the end of the first 20 minutes the visitors were only 7-0 up thanks to a converted James Newsam try.

The second 20 minutes were just as even and Dorchester were forced to defend for large periods and the half- time break arrived with no further additions to the score.

The second half started with Dorchester adding to their tally when Dudley Morris went over in the corner and this signalled a period of extended pressure by the visitors.

They added further scores from Newsam and a fine try scored by one of YOI inmates, who had agreed to play for Dorchester.

Two conversions by John Bowden gave Dorchester a rather flattering 26-0 lead.

Huge credit to YOI who never gave up as they tackled and harassed the Dorchester side and slowly got the upper hand in the final quarter.

They got their just reward for a period of sustained pressure when they went over for a converted score, much to the delight of the watching crowd.

This was a hugely impressive display by a team who had mostly never played rugby before.

The difference between the two sides in the end was Dorchester’s greater game experience.

After the match Dorchester captain Roly Harries paid tribute to the YOI side for their commitment and enthusiasm.