SWANAGE & WAREHAM 8

DORCHESTER 22

DORCHESTER started the new league season with a scrappy but well-deserved victory against traditional rivals Swanage & Wareham.

The hosts started the better, keeping the ball with the forwards and forcing Dorchester to concede several early penalties.

The third of these was in range and the Swans took the opportunity to open the scoring with a well-struck kick.

Dorchester hit back almost immediately, number eight Alistair Vivian bouncing off numerous tacklers before touching down near the posts.

Baker added the extras and Dorchester were up and running.

The Swans continued with their pick and drive tactics and forced another penalty within kicking range.

This time however, the kick came back of the posts and Dorchester set off on a counter

attack that ended with Dave Cottell touching down under the posts.

Unfortunately, the Dorchester touch judge had his flag up for a foot in touch back on the halfway line and the score was chalked

off.

Several other chances came and went and the only addition to the score before the break was another Baker penalty.

The second half saw Dorchester dominate possession and position but the visitors incurred

the referee’s displeasure at

regular intervals allowing the hosts to clear their lines whenever they looked like adding to the score.

Eventually Vivian drove over for his second try and minutes later James Spensley was the beneficiary of a deft offload by George Foot allowing him a clear run to the posts. James Baker converted the second of the two tries and the contest was effectively over.

The Swans did get a consolation try of their own in the dying

moments, but, despite having three men sent to the bin, Dorchester were rarely threatened.

Dorchester: Inwood, Doherty, Cottell, Broadbent, King, Tucker, A Makepeace, Vivian, Clark, G Foot, Peach, Baker, Fry, Matthews, Spensley, Ritchie, K Makepeace, Burch