CORSHAM 8 DORCHESTER 9

RUGBY matches can be won and lost by very fine margins and they didn’t come much finer than at Corsham on Saturday where Dorchester edged home by a single point.

Playing into a stiff breeze in the first half, Dorchester managed to keep the Corsham pack at arm’s length for long periods and produced several dangerous counter- attacks of their own from which they should have scored.

Dorchester eventually took the lead with a well-struck penalty from James Baker which just crept over the bar.

The hosts spent the final 10 minutes of the half camped on the Dorchester line, turning down simple kicks at goal in favour of going for the five points.

An outstanding defensive effort from the visitors kept their opponents at bay and formed the basis of a first win at Corsham for five seasons.

It appeared as though Dorchester thought that the game was already won as they started the second period a shadow of the side that played the first 40 minutes.

And it wasn’t long before Corsham took advantage of some poor defending to cross for the only try of the game.

The visitors tightened up their game and regained the lead with a second Baker penalty, but the hosts were looking the side more likely to win as they started to run the ball from everywhere.

Dorchester held firm until Corsham were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and the simple kick put them back in front.

With time ticking away, Dorchester produced one last effort and won a penalty of their own.

Baker was off the pitch so Alex Toms took responsibility and slotted the kick, giving Dorchester a single point lead with just seven minutes left.

As was to be expected, Corsham got one last chance to win the game but the full-back hooked his attempted penalty wide and Dor-chester won by the narrowest of margins.

Eighth in Southern Counties South, the county town side go to Frome next.