PUDDLETOWN 48

DORCHESTER II 7

PUDDLETOWN finished off their impressive season with a resounding victory over Dorchester Seconds to finish second in Dorset & Wilts Two South and gain promotion to One South.

Puddletown broke the deadlock after 12 minutes with flanker Joe Malpas fielding a clearance kick, the ball finding its way out to teenager Jacob Holt on the left wing who went over to score in the corner.

The score was doubled 15 minutes later when second row Tom Nickisson squeezed in on the opposite corner and just managed to get the ball down one-handed to score.

Immediately from the restart, Malpas caught the kick and made ground through the centre of the pitch, he passed to prop Jez Beale who popped it up for Mercer. After several phases, Mercer went over to score his first of the day.

Puddletown’s fourth and bonus-point try was another team effort, Holt showing pace and power on the left wing, but just getting held up on the line, ever-present flanker Sam Pomeroy was on hand to take the ball and drop over to score, Dan Udell converting.

On the stroke of half-time the home side were pressuring the Dorchester line, the defence encroached at a ruck and a penalty was awarded. A quick tap saw the ball spun out to Beale who went over for a try, Udell adding the extras to make it 29-0.

Fifteen minutes into the second half with the referee playing advantage Pomeroy scored a superb individual try, jinking through the Dorchester defence and shaking off two tacklers to score his second try of the game.

The visitors were under pressure and committing offences at ruck and maul, meaning another penalty was awarded. Scrum-half Lucas Frizzle took the quick tap and passed it to Mercer who powered over to score his second, Udell converting.

Puddletown’s final try saw Mercer made a break from his own half, and exchanging passes with John Moise before going over from 40 metres out to score his third try of the game and 26th of the season, Udell again converting.

With little time remaining Dorchester put together a good passage of play which saw their left winger Felix Rouwen go over for a try in the corner, well converted by Rob Parker to make the final score 48-7.

Puddletown’s coach, Sam Cload said: "It was a good way to end what has been a great season for Puddletown. We have played some excellent entertaining rugby, had a good cup run and have secured promotion, but most of all we have enjoyed ourselves. I would like to thank all the players, coaches, club members and supporters, who have made it a memorable season."