DORCHESTER 43 SUPERMARINE 7

DESPITE losing their focus in the second half, Dorchester gained a bonus-point victory against Southern Counties South’s bottom side.

Taking to the field at Coburg Road in near perfect conditions, the home side flew out of the blocks and Adam Makepeace emerged from a driven lineout with the opening try.

With James Baker on the long-term injury list, Jamie Morgan took over kicking duties and added the conversion.

A few minutes later, scrum-half Lewis Allan scampered over from close range to put the hosts in total control.

Further tries followed from Alex Toms, benefiting from Allan’s quickly taken penalty to dart over, and Sam Jones, who befitted from a perfectly executed lineout move.

Morgan converted Toms’ try and Dorchester led by 24 points at the break.

Dorchester started the second half brightly but squandered several chances to increase their lead before Lee Harvey, back in the centre after last week’s spell in the second row, beat several defenders in the course of running in from halfway.

Replacement scrum-half Dave Gower added a sixth try, after which the hosts lost focus.

Conceding a string of penalties, they allowed Supermarine to gain a territorial advantage and eventually, with Mat Chalker in the bin, the visitors gained some reward for their efforts when they scored a converted try following a kick ahead that bounced perfectly into the chaser’s hands.

Dorchester did have the last word however, Morgan finally getting over the line following several near misses.

The county town side’s fourth league win of the campaign keeps them eighth in the table with 20 points from nine games.

Dorchester: Warren, Chalker, Hodgson, Makepeace, Jones, Easter, Grassby, Newsam, Allan, Toms, Moss, Harvey, King, Morgan, Spensley. Reps used: Cottell, Gower, Deakin.

Man of the Match: James Newsam