Miller returns to haunt Dorchester

8:15am Tuesday 29th January 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Southern Counties South

DORCHESTER 14

NORTH DORSET 29

ANY hopes of Dorchester recording back-to-back wins in Southern Counties South were quickly wiped out by North Dorset's power pack of forwards.

Superbly marshalled as always by former Dorchester star Rich Miller, the North Dorset eight made and scored four tries, all from close range in the first 40 minutes.

The home side did not help their cause with some poor decision-making and ill discipline.

The county town outfit also lost two thirds of their starting front row through injury in a woeful first period. All of which led to the visitors dominating the half and leading 24-0 going into the break.

Looking down the barrel at an embarrassing home defeat Dorchester managed to rediscover their pride and passion in the second half.

Fired up by the sending of captain Rich Bament to the sin-bin, the hosts finally started to take the game to their opponents and for the final 30 minutes made a real contest of the match. Miller did cross for another North Dorset try but Dorchester had the last word, scoring two converted tries in the final quarter.

Firstly, James Baker showed pace to comfortably outstrip the North Dorset cover in a 70-metre footrace following John Firkin's kick into space.

Firkin himself then produce a moment of real class as he carved through the visiting defence from halfway, scoring under the posts without a hand being laid on him.

The two conversions made the score look more respectable but in truth Dorchester were well beaten on the day and will need to play better in the vital games to come if they are to avoid relegation.

Dorchester: Hodgson, Pengelly (Chalker 20), Weston (Borries 35), Hodges, Broadbent (King 60), Brown, Newsam, D Gower, Weller, Powell, Elliott, Bament, Firkin, Baker, Spensley.

Man of the Match: Robert Hodges