OAKMEADIANS II 27
PUDDLETOWN 52
PUDDLETOWN got off to a winning start in Dorset & Wilts Two South after they racked more than 50 points up against Oakmeadians.
From the whistle the game was played at a fast tempo and the ferocious tackling of Joe Melpass resulted in a turnover to Puddletown, who immediately looked to spread wide, only for an intercepted pass to gift the home side an early score under the posts for 7-0. That advantage was then doubled soon after.
With the Villagers rocked, Oaks then turned the ball over and spread it through the hands to their winger, who burst past the last man and ran the length of the pitch to score in the corner. Puddletown looked up against it at this point, trailing 19-0.
But the visitors’ heads did not go down and they fought hard to regain some momentum.
They were awarded a five-metre scrum after 32 minutes. Two phases of pick-and-go rugby followed when fly half Tom Yeatman took the decision to go wide with a cross-field kick.
Winger James House was the man to benefit after the bounce went his way to make it 19-5, the conversion was missed.
It did not take long for Puddletown to continue their fight back after the break. From a lineout, Oaks knocked on and captain Jez Beale was on hand to pick up the scraps and dart through under the posts. Tom Yeatman added the extras for 19-12
A leap from Jumbo Perret to gather the restart immediately led to some quick hands from the rampant Puddletown pack.
It was Ben Hargreaves who was on hand to receive a pop pass and beat the last man to go under the posts to score his debut try.
Yeatman added the extras for 19-19
Despite conceding a penalty to go behind once more, Puddletown upped their efforts again. Matt Watts drew his man and offloaded to House who touched down and then added another soon after to complete his hat-trick.
With his side now leading 33-22 James Green won two lineouts in quick succession and Puddletown broke free again. It was Louis Beale who crossed to make it 38-22.
Oaks fought back but the icing on the Puddletown cake came when Beale picked up a loose ball and ran the full length of the pitch to score.
Refusing to take the conversion himself, Yeatman did the honours to make the final score
52-27.
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