DORCHESTER XV 19

WOODEN SPOON INVITATION XV 12

A 250-STRONG crowd watched Dorchester’s final pre-season friendly against a Andy Gomarsall-led Wood Spoon charity side.

The former England, Wasps, Gloucester and Harlequins star took his team out for a warm-up and to run through some set play drills and routines to put to good use in the game.

Both packs were strong in the scrum with Gomarsall marshalling his team in good defence.

The county town’s Dave Gower ran on to replace the ex-England scrum-half after 15 minutes to allow Gomarsall to coach from the touchline.

Both sides were very even at this point and battling hard for the ball. Dorchester showed good control at the breakdown and camped in the Wooden Spoon half for a number of minutes.

Player changes had unsettled the rhythm for the Spoon side and a well read interception saw James Spencely run in from 75 metres unchallenged, the try was converted and Dorchester led.

The hosts then gave away a penalty and some good passing from the opposition saw them score under the posts for Gomarsall, who had subbed himself back on, to convert with cheers from the crowd as he elected a sevens-style drop goal conversion.

Some clever interplay from Dorchester on 35 minutes saw a crossfield kick gathered in by Spencely to score his second of the evening.

Dorchester further extended their lead scoring in the corner towards the end of the half but it went unconverted.

Gomarsall rallied his side as the half was fading and showed all his guile and skill as an ex-international with a long reverse pass which was well handled by the backs and some strong running by them saw a second try.

The second half saw a defensive game by both sides, as the Wooden Spoon team tired, but they were determined not to leak more points.

Some very good counter rucking from Dorchester saw some turnover ball, and a number of line-outs saw the game slow down towards the end of the half.

Both sides were happy at the end of what was a great exhibition game and a fitting start to Dorchester’s new plans to hold a floodlit game on the first Friday of each month during the season.

Post match Gomarsall held a question and answer session reliving some highlights of his career and discussing his memories of the England World Cup win in 2003 as part of the winning squad.

He spoke of the great work the Wooden Spoon charity does for disabled and disadvantaged children and how they looked forward to Dorchester being a partner club.

A charity auction was held which raised funds for the club and included international tickets for England versus Argentina and signed Welsh shirt from the 2016 squad to New Zealand.

Gomarsall also provided a signed England shirt for the auction.

Matt Mitchell from the Wooden Spoon thanked the players and all involved and said he hoped this will become a regular season opening fixture for Wooden Spoon.