DORCHESTER 26

WIMBORNE 29

DORCHESTER’S late resurgence failed to deny Wimborne a 29-26 victory in their Tribute Southern Counties South clash at Surcouf Park.

Dorchester started brightly but as with last week they were unable to turn pressure into points. Wimborne then broke away and a series of errors in the home defence saw the visitors open the scoring with an unconverted try.

Twenty minutes in and Wimborne extended their lead with a try from a driving maul. The simple conversion extended the lead to 12 points.

The hosts’ evident game plan, to use their quick backs, finally paid off when right wing Jack Hayward crossed for their opening try.

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James Baker added the extras, and the home side were on the scoreboard.

Dorchester, however, were unable to build on this and it was Wimborne who extended their lead with another converted try going into half-time, opening a 12-point gap in their favour.

Two early unconverted Wimborne tries for 29-7 in the second period left Dorchester staring down the barrel of a heavy defeat, however, they managed to rally and assisted by a series of penalties and two yellow cards, dominated the final quarter.

The comeback looked on when left winger Brook Legg was tackled inches short of the line but was able to reach out and get the touchdown. Then some clever inter passing between Kieran Fry and Steve Tucker freed George Foot who chipped over the last man, drawing a late tackle which forced the referee to award a penalty try.

With two bonus points in sight and Wimborne down to 13 men, Dorchester threw everything at their opponents and with the last play Foot strolled over for the all-important score giving Dorchester those well-earned bonus points. Baker’s successful conversion the final act as Wimborne took victory by three points.

With Dorchester sitting solidly in seventh place in the table, their next fixture is away to 10th-placed Avonvale before a rest week and then a home return fixture against Combe Down, who they narrowly beat away back in early November.

Having struggled in this league the past two times they were promoted, this time the squad look more at home and competitive and ready to make their mark as the season progresses.

The wealth of new young players coming through the club’s home-grown talent pool in the junior section can only bode well for its’ long-term ambitions.