DORCHESTER 30

DORSET DOCKERS 29

DORCHESTER needed the final play to come out on top in another nailbiting finish to maintain their perfect Dorset & Wilts One South record with a 30-29 victory over Dorset Dockers.

The hosts were first on the board during a cagey first 30 minutes, James Baker knocking over a simple penalty, but they were to score the first try moments later.

Scrum-half Jake Bosher reacted quickest when the ball came out of the side of a Dockers’ scrum. Lacking pace, he offloaded to Charlie Harries who then found Matt Fry, allowing the latter to touch down.

Dockers hit back with an almost identical try, their scrum-half catching Dorchester napping and putting his flanker in to score.

Dockers were now getting a measure of control and their outstanding right winger scored twice in the corner, but only one of the tries was converted to give the visitors a 17-8 lead at half-time.

Dorchester had the benefit of the breeze in the second half but it took them fully 20 minutes before replacement George Foot crossed in the right-hand corner following slick handling from the inside backs. Baker converted from the touchline to close to within two points.

Dockers responded almost immediately with a try from their left winger.

Undeterred, the hosts continued to attack and centre Callum King found a gap in the Dockers’ defence to power over, with Baker’s conversion levelling the scores.

When Baker slotted over a penalty it appeared the hosts had the game won, but Dockers’ right winger again proved too quick and strong for the home defence, with the visitors’ conversion meaning Dorchester needed a try to win.

Working their way down the pitch they were awarded a penalty on the Dockers’ line. Opting for the scrum they chose to go wide but determined defence seemed to have thwarted the hosts until Alex Peel’s pinpoint grubber behind the defence allowed Foot to score his second try of the day and win the game.

Alex Peel was the Copper Street Costa Coffee man of the match, who played an outstanding and mature game.

He coped incredibly well in a tough, physical encounter.

Coach Ben Parker was “impressed” with his side. He said: “If this is the quality from the league above then I believe we are heading in the right direction.

“This was probably our best performance to date, not a fancy affair but more back to basics.

“We were up against it for long periods and the Dockers’ slick back line gave us a real test and provided us with some headaches.

“However, the lads showed some true character and teamwork. They identified how to stop them and I believe played a well-managed game.

“We gave away too many penalties and missed too many opportunities, but overall I was impressed.”
 

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