SHERBORNE II 40 PUDDLETOWN17

PUDDLETOWN surrendered the top spot in Dorset & Wilts Two South to rivals Sherborne after the Villagers suffered their first loss of the regular season, to the only other previously unbeaten side in the division.

Things looked tough for the visitors from the start, with the home team pack looking strong and well drilled at scrum and line-out.

Honours were even until 15 minutes into the first half, when Sherborne won a five-metre line-out and drove over to score their first converted try.

Almost immediately from the restart, Puddletown were awarded a penalty 25 metres out, after scrum-half Lucas Frizzle was impeded trying to get the ball away at a ruck.

Captain Sam Bailey neatly slotted the kick to bring the score to 7-3.

For most of the remainder of the first period, the home side pack dominated, scoring another three converted tries to secure the try scoring bonus point.

Puddletown defended valiantly but racked up the penalties, and just before the break, centre Dan Uddell was adjudged offside in front of the posts and was sent to the sin-bin for 10 minutes.

With only 14 men, the men in red put together their best play of the half, with left-wing John Moise breaking away and passing back inside for blindside flanker Sam Pomeroy to score. Bailey added the extras from out wide.

The second half saw the visitors apply more pressure to the home side, but as in the first half the home pack had the upper hand and scored two more tries directly from set-piece play.

Puddletown battled on, but were hampered by the odd pass going to ground.

Eventually, the pressure paid off for the visitors, with number eight Pearce Mercer breaking through from 22 metres out and scoring near the sticks, to the delight of the travelling support. Bailey added the extras.

Puddletown coaches Sam Cload and Paul Newbury were proud of the performance of the single team club and asked for particular thanks to be given to the replacements who did not get used during the game.

There were a plenty of standout performances including Sam Pomeroy and man of the match Lucas Frizzle, who both played junior rugby at Sherborne.

The Villagers enter their first cup weekend for five years and with it being 25 years since last lifting cup silverware, taking on the relatively unknown Amesbury at Warminster in the Junior Vase.

Coach Sam Cload confirmed that training and commitment has been fantastic from the squad following the disappointment of losing to Sherborne last week.

He said: "The lads have bounced back positively, with emphasis on enjoying the week and the preparation.

"Sherborne beat us because they were the better team and caught us napping in the first 20 minutes, the team need to front up this week and be counted.

"We will be making final selection tonight, the great thing is bar a couple of guys out injured we have a full squad to select final 22 from, so their will be some difficult decisions to be made for the coaching staff."

A coach will be heading up to Warminster, leaving from th eclubhouse at 10.45am.