DORCHESTER 50

OAKMEADIANS 5

DORCHESTER returned to the top of Dorset & Wilts One South with a 50-5 win over Oakmeadians at Coburg Road - their second triumph over Oaks in as many games.

Ben Parker's men moved to the league's summit after rivals Wimborne Seconds slipped up 17-13 at Dorset Dockers.

In an even first half the hosts started the game in blistering fashion and immediately took the lead with centre Harry Charlier crossing for the first try of the day.

Alex Peel’s conversion attempt drifted wide but it wasn’t long before the hosts extended their lead as a sumptuous offload from George Foot found Lee King who was hauled down just short of the line, but James Newsam was on hand to pick up and score, Peel converting for a 12-0 lead.

Oakmeadians redoubled their efforts and, helped by Dorchester’s ill discipline, dominated the next twenty minutes.

Using their big forwards Oaks kept Dorchester pinned in their 22 for long periods and were eventually rewarded when the number eight went down the blindside following a scrum and freed the winger to run in unopposed.

This seemed to be the wakeup call that Dorchester needed and they restored their grip with a third try, Matt Read and Jamie Morgan exchanging passes down the left wing before the latter dived over for the score, Peel converting from the touchline for a 19-5 half-time lead.

Dorchester opened the second half as they had the first as Foot aimed a pinpoint kick to Morgan for his second try of the day. Peel's conversion stretched the lead to 26-5.

Callum King then drove over from close range following a series of rucks on the Oaks’ line before loosehead prop Joe Underhill touched down for his first try for the first XV, Peel converting both tries.

Another of Dorchester’s crop of rising stars to made his debut as flanker Thomas Harries came on for the final quarter and made an immediate impact with two tries, the second an impressive 40-metre dash to the line.

Following the game coach Ben Parker commented: “Overall a good performance and we are back at the top of the table following Wimborne’s defeat to Dorset Dockers. Today it was great to see more young talent coming into the squad with Thomas scoring twice on his debut.

“We are still missing easy opportunities to score out wide. We have trained a lot on getting the ball out quick and using the space, but on game day we just don’t seem to get it right.

"I’m not sure what what else we need to do, but we will go back and look at this again. We need to finish these opportunities.”

n Dorchester’s Copper Street Costa Coffee man-of-the-match: James Bryant-Harries.

In the first game of the day, Dorchester Weymouth & Portland ladies lost to Jersey ladies in a spirited game in poor conditions.

Dorchester’s tackling was outstanding with Kirsty van deurs Goss and Fi Freeman-Goldsmith proving both ends of the age scale can put in the big hits.

Coach Sam Wilson said: “The girls did the shirt proud today and really showed how they can compete against a strong team. I was very proud of them.” Wilson named Jenna Taylor, who has moved up through the junior ranks, as her player of the match.

With so much more participation in ladies and girls teams, Dorchester have been in the forefront of this locally. The club has been fortunate to benefit from funding for new changing facilities suitable for the Ladies' teams.

n Dorchester Seconds scored a superb 94-15 win away at Oakmeadians, recording the double Bournemouth-based club.