DORCHESTER 0 NORTH DORSET 60

THIS was a bad day at the office for a game but limited Dorchester side who faded badly in the last quarter at Coburg Road.

The visitors had first use of the strong wind but Dorchester started brightly and applied the early pressure.

However, North Dorset converted their first bit of decent possession into a try and, despite the hosts’ best efforts, effectively controlled the rest of the Southern Counties South contest.

The home side battled hard, especially at scrum time, but North Dorset’s greater physicality proved too much for the county town youngsters.

Two further tries, one of which was converted, gave the visitors a comfortable 17-0 lead at the break.

It was symptomatic of Dorchester’s day that the wind dropped significantly as the second half started.

Nevertheless, in the next 20 minutes they created several decent chances to get on the scoreboard.

A combination of excellent defence and simple bad luck meant that none of the chances were converted into points.

As Dorchester’s injury problems mounted and their players tired, North Dorset took full advantage to run in a succession of tries.

Dorchester: Cottell, Pengelly, Hodgson, L King, Hallett, Harries, S Jones, Makepeace; Bosher, C King; Haskell, Greening, Baker, Deakin; G Foot: Ritchie, J Gower, Gill.