CORSHAM 25

DORCHESTER 39

DORCHESTER beat bottom side Corsham 39-25 in Tribute Southern Counties South – despite arriving 30 minutes after the scheduled kick-off time.

Dorchester were delayed by a disastrous Storm Eunice-affected coach journey so, with the briefest of warm-ups, it was no surprise when Corsham took an early 10-0 lead with two unconverted tries.

The strong crossfield wind made passing a lottery and Dorchester made a host of handling errors.

However, as the game entered the second quarter tries from Callum King, George Foot and James Baker took the visitors into the lead.

READ MORE: Dorchester 38-12 Combe Down - match report

Corsham soon equalized but with only minutes to go the break Brad Mullins burst over for his second try in as many weeks. Dorchester, however, made yet another mistake from the restart allowing Corsham a fourth try and a 20-20 scoreline at half-time.

Dorchester tightened up their defence in the second half and with both scrum and line-out working well Dorchester gradually pulled 12 points clear as a converted try from Brook Legg and a second from James Baker stretched the lead.

Corsham did score a late try to make it 32-25 but Foot’s second try, converted by Baker, ensured Dorchester went home with the full five points.

With no game next week Dorchester face league leaders Devizes on Saturday, March 5 at Surcouf Park.

Sitting sixth in the Tribute Southern Counties table, and only losing by six points last time out, the county town outfit will hope to show well for the home crowd and look for a potential upset.

Elsewhere, Dorchester’s A XV travelled to league leaders Lytchett Minster in their Tribute Dorset & Wilts Two South clash.

Also affected by the storm conditions, the squad was depleted to only the minimum 15 to field a side. Following an early injury setback the visitors played with only 14 men, which against the runaway leaders was always going to be a tough task.

Dorchester played with pride and spirit making sure they gave the opposition something to think about, eventually going down 40-14.

Captain Matt Fry and team manager Dave Clark could not have been prouder of their team’s efforts.

Joint man of the match was awarded to Rob Parker and Tristan Walters. With a rest week, the side’s next fixture is away to Oakmeadians Seconds who sit one place below Dorchester in the table.