Rugby: More ground lost in Dorchester's relegation fight

A SPIRITED second-half comeback was not enough to earn Dorchester a rare victory in Southern Counties South.

Despite the heavy overnight rain the Coburg Road pitch was in remarkably good condition and with both sides struggling at the foot of the table a close game was on the cards.

The visitors took control early on and pressed home their advantage with three converted tries in the first quarter. Dorchester did not throw in the towel and battled through the rest of the half without conceding any further points.

Paul Dunne’s hosts finally got into match in the second period and began to pressure the Frome line with several driving mauls.

It was from one such drive that Tom Arnold touched down for the county town side’s opening score.

Frome, stung by Dorchester’s efforts, hit back when their right winger showed good pace to score the bonus-point try in the right-hand corner.

A simple penalty followed before Dorchester once again took control.

A second try under the posts along with James Baker’s conversion closed the gap briefly before the visitors broke away to score their fifth and final try.

But Dorchester were far from finished though.

Adam Makepeace scored following yet another driving lineout and then, as the clock went red, Dorchester showed remarkable patience to retain the ball through multiple phases before Baker touched down.

That gave the home side a bonus point for four tries and Baker’s successful conversion was the last kick of the game.

Dorchester are now 11 points adrift at the foot of the table.

Dorchester: Bamlet, J Underhill, Elliott, L King, Hodgson, Arnold, Robson, Makepeace; Bowden, Foot; Baker, Greening, M Evans, Deakin; Clark. Reps: Bosher, Gill, S King.