DORCHESTER SECONDS 26 PUDDLETOWN 5

HAVING picked up just one win in their previous five games in all competitions, Dorchester finally got their Dorset & Wilts Two South campaign back on track.

After being pushed all the way by a strong visiting pack, the home side managed four tries and five league points from this local derby.

In near perfect conditions, the game started with both teams trying to find their stride and not giving too much away.

The home team did have a chance for the first points but full-back Matt Fry’s long-range penalty attempt struck a post.

With only one player in the home pack over 22, the more experienced and bigger visiting forwards got on top.

The first three scrums saw the county town side driven back and it was from one of these that the first score came.

A Dorchester scrum, just five metres from their own line, was shoved backwards and Puddletown got the important touchdown. The conversion was missed.

Dorchester refused to panic and started to address the scrum issues.

As the half wore on their fast tempo started to be applied more effectively and Puddletown conceded a number of penalties.

After a couple of near misses when the last pass just seemed to elude the attacker, the home team finally got on the board.

Quick ball from the forwards allowed centre Toby Waddington to make a strong run in which broke several tackles.

He was eventually brought down just a few metres short but a neat offload found Fry and he finished it off.

Unfortunately, the conversion attempt again hit a post, which meant it was all square at half-time.

The second half started strongly for Dorchester and when an attack was halted illegally they opted for a kick. However, for the third time in the game, Fry’s effort struck the woodwork.

Continuing to use their strength up front, the visitors had some good periods of possession and territory.

But, up against Dorchester’s good discipline and defence, they couldn’t find a way through.

The first score of the half eventually came from the hosts. From deep in their own 22 the county town side showed some ambition and the ball ended up in the hands of winger Zac Paton.

After a long run up the touchline he went over for a try which Fry managed to convert.

With the game now entering the final 20 minutes, Dorchester were looking for the two tries which would give them the bonus point.

They still had to do some defending, but did this well and remained patient.

After some good phases the ball was worked out again to Paton and he finished superbly. The extras were added again.

With Puddletown now chasing the game and tiring, some neat offloads between the forwards eventually ended with Charlie Sharpe touching down for his first senior try, securing the bonus point in the process.

Fry, now in the groove, added the conversion.

Puddletown were not done and, to their credit, still pushed for another try but Dorchester weathered the late surge.

With every player putting in a very good performance, Dorchester will be happy to take five points from a tough local derby and can now look forward to a tough away trip to New Milton Seconds.

Man of the Match: Tom Gower