Strugglers are overpowered by Dorchester (From Dorset Echo)

Strugglers are overpowered by Dorchester

8:22am Tuesday 24th January 2012 in Rugby By Andy Haworth

Dorchester 86 BLANDFORD 3

RAMPANT Dorchester simply had far too much pace and power for their relegation-haunted opponents in a one-sided affair at Coburg Road.

Playing into a very strong wind in the first half, the hosts had earned themselves a bonus point within 15 minutes courtesy of tries from James Baker, Matt Read, Rich Bament and Adam Makepeace.

The visitors’ only response was a well-struck penalty from the halfway line.

Further tries from Chris Miners, Idris Croft, Lee Harvey and a second from Baker, together with Bament’s five conversions, meant that Dorchester had reached the half century by the break.

The second half was not quite all one-way traffic as Blandford knuckled down to the task and Dorchester introduced all their replacements.

The home side did, however, manage a further six tries.

Croft helped himself to three to take his tally to four, Bament bagged his second of the afternoon while James Newsam and Carl Mitchell also touched down.

Bament converted three of the second-half tries for a personal haul of 26 points.

The mammoth victory, which lifts Martin Oxland’s side to fourth in Southern Counties South, will have provided a welcome confidence boost but the county town side will no doubt face a much sterner test when they visit rivals Sherborne this weekend.

Dorchester: Warren, Miners (Pengelly 65), Cottell, Makepeace, Broadbent, Dixon (Bonner 60), Newsam, C Mitchell, D Gower, Bament, Baker, Waddington, Harvey, Croft, Read.

Man of the Match: Dave Gower