BRIDPORT 17

DORCHESTER 55

DORCHESTER continued their unbeaten run with a comfortable bonus point win at rivals Bridport.

Dominating both in terms of territory and possession, it wasn’t long before the visitors took the lead, with number eight Steve Tucker crossing for the first try.

The hosts continued to press but determined defence kept them at bay until they won a penalty in front of the posts. Skipper Adam Makepeace opted to take the safe option and Baker duly added the three points.

Centre Matt Fry then finished off another flowing move and Baker’s successful conversion stretched the lead to 15 points.

With half an hour played, Bridport finally entered the Dorchester 22 and, awarded a penalty, fly-half Mitch Waters caught Dorchester dozing and went over for a converted try.

Stung by the setback, Dorchester hit back with two converted tries of their own. Firstly Baker touched down in the left corner then Jamie Morgan finished off a length of the field move under the posts.

The hosts scored first in the second half, kicking a simple penalty through Rich Layzell to take them into double figures.

Dorchester then reasserted their dominance with tries from Callum King and flanker Charlie Harries, both converted by Baker.

Bridport never gave up and cheered on by their vociferous supporters they laid siege to the Dorchester line. Forced to concede several penalties, Dorchester’s defence finally gave and the hosts gleefully added a second try through Waters again.

The visitors had the final say however, Baker crossed for his second try before recent recruit Luc Scadden scored his first try for his new team.

Dorchester’s Copper Street Costa Coffee Man of the Match was Andrew McCreedy, who only joined the club this summer and his dominance at loose head this week shone through.

After the match, county town head coach Ben Parker said: “This performance was brilliant and another step up from last week.

“With the majority of the team now regularly playing together, things are starting to gel far more than the first two games.

“We still have plenty to do to maintain our new position at the top of the table, and this is a long process over 22 games.

“The more we train the more we improve and better our performance will be. We had a drop in numbers at training last week and the squad have been told, and understand, we cannot step off the gas and rest, we need to push on.”

In what was a superb weekend for the club, Dorchester A beat Blandford Seconds and completing the senior hat-trick, Dorchester Gladiators overcame Ringwood & Ellingham Thirds 34-24.

On the youth front, Dorchester Under-12s beat Swanage & Wareham and the Under-16s, the current Dorset & Wilts champions, took on the Devon champions, Topsham, and came away with a 53-7 win.