Dorchester 55

East Dorset 57

DORCHESTER have been knocked out of the Vivienne Trophy following a closely fought 57-55 defeat to East Dorset (Christchurch).

The game was just one step too far having progressed through the last two rounds of the national competition.

Preparations were far from ideal for the home side, having four squad members unavailable due to illness, causing changes to all four rinks.

Things began quietly as both sides settled into the match, with East Dorset edging things 16-15 after five ends.

In the second quarter East Dorset went up a gear, gaining a 12-shot advantage as they held a 38-26 lead.

It looked like the late changes in personnel had rattled Dorchester, but the game took a dramatic turn as the different rinks began to gel.

The home side reduced East Dorset’s lead to five shots, but as the visitors tried to wrap up the victory, a magnificent count of seven shots gained by Dorchester’s top rink captain Kay Johns took the county town to within just one shot of levelling.

This was followed up with Fran Dyer gaining the vital shot and bringing the score level at 55-55.

Both sides tussled for victory in the closing stages, but it was East Dorset who finally recorded the two shots needed to take them into the last sixteen of the competition.

The Dorchester team, although devastated at the final outcome had produced an excellent display and fighting spirit which nearly saw them complete the most unlikely of comebacks.

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