Dorchester denied by Devizes

MATCHES between these two old rivals are invariably close affairs and this latest instalment was no different with Devizes coming out on top, courtesy of a very late drop goal.

Dorchester’s old failing of starting slowly was again in evidence and the visitors opened the scoring with a converted try within the first two minutes.

The match then developed into a battle of attrition with neither side able to get the upper hand. Both teams were winning their own ball but defences were tight and there was no further score until the last kick of the half when James Baker slotted a simple penalty to reduce the deficit to 7-3.

The second half continued in much the same fashion. Devizes added a penalty but with the result on a knife edge tempers flared and a second row from each side was sent to the bin.

Moments later, full-back Luke Weller crossed in the right corner but Baker narrowly missed the conversion to leave the hosts two points adrift with 10 minutes remaining.

The visitors then had two great chances to close the game out, creating overlaps but butchering them both with poor passing.

In the dying stages, Baker looked to have nicked the points for Dorchester when he converted a 40-yard penalty attempt but there was still time for Devizes to turnover a home lineout, allowing their fly half to kick the winning points.

This was another missed opportunity for Dorchester, who are struggling to cope with injuries and player availability.

They have a free week this Saturday and hope to be able to field a more settled side in the games that follow.

Dorchester: Bonner, Pengelly (Chalker 50), Cottell, Broadbent, Makepeace, J Gower (Skidmore 48), Newsam, C Mitchell, D Gower, Bament (Bowden 70), Clark, Baker, Hunt, Paton, Weller.

Highwood Man of the Match: Ben Hunt