Dorset & Wilts Division Two South

Puddletown 20

WARMINSTER 17

INJURIES and unavailabilities saw Puddletown go into this Dorset & Wilts Division Two South clash with an unfamiliar front row.

But it didn't stop the Villagers recording a much-needed victory over their visitors from Warminster.

From the start the home midfield ran at their opponents and in the first minute earned a penalty when Warminster were caught off side which stand off Scott Price converted.

Following the restart the huge pack of visiting forwards drove at the home defence and within minutes they were back in the game thanks to a push over try.

Warminster then followed the same game plan and it was left to home full back, Mark Thomson to relieve pressure with a huge clearance kick down field.

The visiting full back collected the ball but was caught by attacking midfield players, turning over possession and allowing home scrum half Andy Meacham to dart over for a fine unconverted try.

Honours were even for the rest of the half although Puddletown did have a chance with a penalty kick from the half way, which fell just short of the target.

The Villagers began the second period with a big punt down field, which Ed Britton collected before driving towards the line.

The second row was caught just short of the line but the ball spun wide and found full back Thomson who touched down in the corner.

Warminster responded immediately with a try following a five-metre scrum, which set up a thrilling end to the game.

Puddletown were the next to strike when Price chipped up field and winger Andy MacIntire collected, with only the full back to beat.

He then off-loaded to centre Dan Udell who sprinted in to score under the posts with Price nailing the conversion.

Within minutes the visitors were celebrating once more following another push over try which was converted leaving them only three points adrift.

Puddletown had to defend for their lives as Warminster looked to salvage the match, but they hung on gamely to take maximum points.