Dorchester lose out to Frome (From Dorset Echo)

Dorchester lose out to Frome

5:00pm Monday 11th February 2013 in Rugby By Echo Reporter

DORCHESTER 11 FROME 20

DORCHESTER were made to pay for a poor first-half display as they slipped to a disappointing 20-11 defeat at home to Frome in their Southern Counties South clash.

Frome’s win sees them leapfrog the county town side into fifth in the table with a three-point advantage having played a game more.

Neither side were immediately able to establish any kind of advantage with each team kicking a penalty before the home side lost concentration and conceded the sloppiest of tries.

There appeared to be no danger when Luke Weller made a clearance kick, but it was quickly charged down and the visitors gleefully touched down for the try which was then converted for a 10-3 lead.

The hosts reacted well to the setback, scoring an excellent try themselves when Rich Bament touched down following a sustained build-up involving both forwards and backs.

Bament was unable to convert from the left touchline but the deficit was reduced to 10-8. The visitors competed fiercely at the breakdown, not allowing Dorchester to settle, and the pressure paid off with a scrum awarded five metres from the home line.

Frome’s set-piece play was solid all afternoon and they duly drove Dorchester back over their own line for the try and a 15-8 advantage.

The county town side went in search of an equalising score but they hindered themselves with a mistake followed by a turnover, which allowed the Frome right-winger to break down the touchline and feed the inside support for a third try to establish a 20-8 half-time lead.

The hosts required another of their renowned second-half comebacks if they were to reel in the 12-point deficit and while they did dominate the half, they made too many mistakes to seriously threaten a Frome side that defended with great spirit and determination.

Bament kicked a penalty among two other missed chances, while Joe Newton was held up over the line but all Dorchester’s effort were in vain, leaving them to ponder a remedy to get their season back on track.

Highwood Man of the Match: Rich Bament

Dorchester: Warren, Chalker, Ritchie (Bonner 50), Makepeace, C Mitchell, Miners, Newsam, Dixon (Sergison 50), D Gower, Weller, Bowden, Bament, Newton, Morgan (Baker 60), Read.