BRADFORD-ON-AVON 22

DORCHESTER 10

FOR the umpteenth time this season, Dorchester slipped to defeat in a game of missed opportunities.

Having won the toss, the visitors chose to play down the slope with the wind behind them in the hope of building a lead.

Despite dominating territorially they failed to turn that advantage into points and after half an hour led by a single James Baker penalty.

The hosts finally worked their way up the pitch and crossed for a converted try in the final moments of the half.

Bradford started the second half as they had finished the first, scoring in the left-hand corner to stretch their lead to nine.

The visitors redoubled their efforts and forced their opponents into conceding a string of penalties which in turn led to the Bradford captain being sent to the sin bin.

Dorchester took full advantage when Lee King crashed over from close range. Baker’s conversion closed the gap to just two points.

The visitors’ period of dominance ended when the hosts were restored to 15 players.

It appeared Dorchester would hang on for a losing bonus point until they were hit by two tries in the final five minutes.

Bottom of Southern Counties South, Dorchester take on Frome, the side one place above them, this Saturday.

Dorchester: Hodgson, J Underhill, Elliott, Makepeace, Hallett, S Jones, Arnold, Tucker; Bowden, G Foot; Deakin, Greening, Baker, S King; M Evans. Gill, L King.