DORCHESTER 6 NORTH DORSET 13

GIVEN the recent form of these two sides it seemed highly unlikely that Dorchester would get anything out of this game – but that was not quite how it turned out at Coburg Road.

A gutsy defensive performance from Martyn Peel’s patched up side earned the hosts a valuable bonus point.

It was actually the first point they had gained on the pitch in the league since January 10.

For the second week in a row Dorchester conceded a try in the first two minutes of the game.

The score was unconverted but the visitors didn’t let up, and with their fast offloading game put the county town team under intense pressure.

However, Dorchester weathered the storm and prevented North Dorset from adding to their score for another half an hour.

That was until North Dorset’s big left winger crossed for a second unconverted try.

Without a recognised hooker, Dorchester’s normally reliable scrum and lineout became a bit of a struggle, but they did manage to win enough ball to set up some attacks of their own.

One such break from centre Lee Harvey earned the visitors a penalty in front of the posts which Alex Toms knocked over to close the gap to just seven points at the break.

The second period turned into real battle of attrition, with both sides getting frustrated with the referee’s interpretation of the breakdown.

Chances were few and far between and after just a penalty apiece in the entire 40 minutes Dorchester held on for an unexpected point.

Next up for Peel’s troops is a trip to Swindon to take on Supermarine, who sit rock bottom of Southern Counties South with no wins all season and just two bonus points to their name.

They were put to the sword again last Saturday, losing 48-13 away to Bradford-on-Avon, the side immediately below ninth-placed Dorchester in the league table.

Meanwhile, Dorchester Seconds were on the wrong end of a 25-5 reverse to New Milton Seconds in Dorset & Wilts Two South.

And in Dorset & Wilts Four, Dorchester’s third XV’s hopes of securing the league title took huge a blow when they suffered a 50-0 hammering at home against Lytchett Minster’s second XV.

Lytchett hold a nine-point advantage at the league summit but Dorchester have played a game less.

Dorchester: Cottell, T Evans, Hodgson, Makepeace, King, E Grassby, Newsam, Prior, Allan, Toms, Morgan, M Evans, Harvey, T Gower, D Gower, Paton.

Man of the match: Ed Grassby