Friendly Puddletown 27 POOLE 5

What should have been a league fixture at Greenfields was played as a friendly after Poole's recent decision to withdraw from Dorset & Wilts Division Two South.

The game started with the home backs on the attack and centre Dan Udell making strong runs at the Poole midfield.

The first chance came when home flanker Tom Foot found himself with space and seemed certain to score, only to be taken out with a huge tackle from the Poole back row.

With constant pressure on the visiting defence, the ball was spun wide for winger Andy MacIntyre eventually to break the deadlock by scoring in the corner.

After the restart play seemed even with no advantage for either side until a quick ruck ball went out wide to village full back Mark Thomson who hit the line for a second unconverted try.

With the home backs now rampant it was the turn of inside centre Kev Voss to throw a huge dummy and coast in for the last score of the half.

Following the break, the game followed the same pattern as the first but then some poor handling from the home forwards allowed Poole's inside centre to intercept and sprint the length of the pitch for a fine opportunist try.

Puddletown stepped up a gear after that with centre Udell breaking three tackles to score a try under the posts which he converted himself.

With the visitors now on the back foot they defended with spirit until the last move of the match saw Thomson make the overlap and score in the corner.

Stand in Puddletown skipper Russell Longley said: "It was a good work out and great to see Poole field 15 players after their recent problems that forced them to quit the league.

"Let's hope they sort things out and rejoin the competition as soon as possible."