DORCHESTER 38

COMBE DOWN 12

WITH echoes of Dorchester’s previous match at Avonvale, dominant Dorchester eased home 38-12 against Combe Down.

Dorchester accelerated to victory in the second half to take another bonus-point win, doing the double over Down in the process.

Dorchester controlled the first half but were unable to turn their many chances into points. Indeed, Combe scored first.

Two mistakes in midfield conceded field position and from the resulting scrum a simple blind side attack saw Combe open the scoring with a converted try.

READ MORE: Avonvale 3-40 Dorchester - match report

Chances came and went for the hosts before George Foot’s precise grubber kick allowed winger Brook Legg to cross in the left corner. James Baker’s excellent conversion levelled the scores at the break.

Despite losing captain Steve Tucker to injury Dorchester upped the pace in the second half and cruised to victory. James Baker got the scoreboard moving running round his opposite number and converting his own try from the touch line.

Tries then followed at regular intervals, Brook Legg crossed for his second score and the home scrum-half then added the bonus-point try, both converted by Baker.

Brad Mullins powered his way over for only his second try in a Dorchester shirt before Combe Down’s full-back, by far their most dangerous attacker, did score a consolation try.

Baker then responded by finished proceedings with his second score, squeezing in by the right corner.

The points moved Dorchester up to sixth in the Tribute Southern Counties South table, exchanging places with their visitors, and next travel to bottom side Corsham.

Post-match, head coach Josh Ovey was happy with the strong defence, but whilst being able to dominate in all areas for 40 minutes he was frustrated with the inability to convert that dominance to points.

He did feel however, that yet again things clicked together in the second half, with Dorchester playing far more clinical rugby and showing some amazing handling and offloading of the ball.

Ovey named Oli Wills as his man of the match for constantly breaking the gain line and causing the opposition some real issues in the tackle.

Elsewhere at Surcouf Park, Dorchester’s A XV fell narrowly to Ellingham & Ringwood 17-15 in a game played in great spirit between two equally-matched teams, which came down to the final kick of the game and a missed difficult conversion.

Scott Clarke was Dorchester’s man of the match pushing hard for a place in the first XV.

Two senior debutants in Tristan Walker and Reece Vincent had excellent games, while Rob Parker played a near faultless game at fly-half.

The county town side now sit comfortably fourth in the Tribute Dorset & Wilts Two South table, travelling to league leaders Lytchett Minster next weekend where they will be looking to cause an upset.