DORSET DOCKERS 45 DORCHESTER 17

A FIRST ever visit to Dorset Dockers for the county town side’s first XV ended in another disappointing defeat.

Dorchester were once again hit with unavailability and a late cry off but started the game with a bang.

An early penalty from James Baker was quickly followed up by a try between the posts. Baker converted his own score.

Dorchester had the edge in the scrum and their lineout was also going well but the Dockers’ backs were looking dangerous with ball in hand.

Two tries, one of which was converted, put the hosts in the lead.

The visitors were still in the game and when centre Rory Greening chased down a kick into the corner they retook the lead. Baker’s conversion extended that lead to five.

Dorchester continued to press until disaster struck on the last play of the half.

Baker broke through the midfield and, had his pass reached its intended target, Dorchester would have stretched their lead even further.

Unfortunately, the pass was picked off by the Dockers’ winger who went the length of the pitch.

Facing the wind in the second half, Dorchester were given a lesson in finishing as the hosts crossed for five tries.

Dorchester had several chances to add to their tally but were not precise enough in their execution.

Dorchester: Ritchie, Cottell, Hodgson, Makepeace, L King, Arnold, Dooley, Hallett; Clark, Foot; Haskell, Greening, C King, Baker; M Evans: Sharpe, Robson, Bament.