WIMBORNE 27

DORCHESTER 12

DORCHESTER were on the wrong end of a 27-12 scoreline at Wimborne in the Tribute Southern Counties South.

However, there was much to be cheerful about in Dorchester’s performance.

Already hit by some last-minute unavailability issues, Dorchester got off to the worst possible start, losing full-back Liam Moss to injury in the very first minute.

Following a complete reshuffling of the back division and a little lack of concentration as players tried to settle, it was no surprise when Wimborne found a gap in the defence and opened the scoring with a converted try.

Far from disheartened the visitors then began to settle and had the better of the rest of the first half, with the forwards looking impressive at scrum time.

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With a certain try missed due to a forward pass followed by a missed penalty, Dorchester were looking very strong.

A string of penalties close to the Wimborne try line brought a team warning to the opposition, and the country town’s impressive young scrum-half Freddie Charles showed great strength to force his way over the line from close range.

The conversion went wide but Dorchester were now in the ascendancy and when Josh Hosford barrelled his way over under the posts close to the end of the first half, they took the lead.

Callum King added the extras and with a minute to go Dorchester led 12-7. Unfortunately, Dorchester failed to deal with the kick, giving away a soft penalty and allowing Wimborne to go into the break just two points behind.

With the wind at their backs, Wimborne started the second half on the front foot, crossing for two early unconverted tries as the visitors were again caught napping, finding themselves 20-12 behind.

Dorchester were still well in the game however until they lost hooker Scott Clark to a yellow card and shortly afterwards Andy Dowell to red for a dangerous tackle.

With a two-man deficit, much to their credit Dorchester defended manfully and only conceded one converted try while two men short.

It was then the hosts’ turn to lose a man to the bin following a tip tackle. With the game now 14 against 14, Dorchester dominated the final 10 minutes but despite creating several good chances were unable to close the gap to pick up a losing bonus point.

Defeat leaves Dorchester one off the bottom of the table but with two winnable games coming up against mid-table opposition starting on Saturday at home to Avonvale.

In Tribute Dorset & Wilts Two South action, Dorchester’s A XV were awarded a bonus-point win due to East Dorset Dockers being unable to raise a team to travel.

This lifts the side to second in the table behind Lytchett Minster who have played one more game.

Elsewhere, the combined Dorchester Weymouth & Portland Ladies team, Ridgeway Roses, fell to a 29-5 defeat to Oakmeadians in a game cut short due to injury.