DORCHESTER 24

OAKMEADIANS 12

DORCHESTER overcame a stubborn Oakmeadians side to win their first knockout competition since 2000

The county town side started nervously conceding a succession of penalties which allowed the Oaks to apply the early pressure.

However, once they had settled, Dorchester dominated the rest of the half.

Several chances to open the scoring came and went before Alex Peel popped over a simple penalty.

More pressure was applied on the Oaks’ line and Dorchester were rewarded with a pushover try, Steve Tucker applying the final touch.

At the break, Dorchester led by 10 points.

Dorchester’s failure to punish their opponents was brought into sharp focus when, within a couple of minutes of the restart, Oaks caught them napping at a line-out and the number eight scored in the right-hand corner.

The conversion was missed but Dorchester were now in a real game.

They duly upped their intensity and took control of the final.

Callum King powered his way to the line before winger James Baker rounded the defence to touch down for his 20th try of the season.

Peel converted both tries to open up a 19-point gap. But if Dorchester thought the game was over they were to be proved wrong as Oaks provided a rousing finale.

A converted try gave them hope and then Dorchester had to survive a frantic last 10 minutes with a man in the bin.

Despite Oaks’ best efforts, the Dorchester defence held firm and the Vase was won.

Following the final whistle the Oaks had a player sent off for dissent.

Following the game, Dorchester’s coach Ben Parker said: “This was a fantastic result for the squad and the first target for the season achieved.

“We put in a much better performance this weekend, and it was evident that those players returning were missed during last week’s defeat at Wimborne.

“There were a lot of unforced errors from us and yet again our discipline came under scrutiny.

“However, we played well overall and stuck to our game plan.

“Our next target is to go back to the top of the league before the Christmas break.

“We will get back on the training ground hard this week to achieve this and end the year on a high.”

Dorchester cannot afford a hangover from this game as they go straight back into league action this Saturday.

The fact they face Oakmeadians in the league will make this an even more interesting game.

Oaks will want revenge and will pose a big challenge.

In other rugby played this weekend by Dorchester, the unbeaten under-16s travelled to the reigning Hampshire county champions and came away victorious 47-12, another great result for a talented well-drilled team.

Dorchester also hosted another successful Weldmar Santa Fun Run on Sunday, raising much needed funds for the hospice and seeing many families kick off Christmas in fine style.

A large number of Santas were seen running around nearby Poundbury and then feasting on mince pies provided by Dorchester’s junior section.

Dorchester: Underhill, Doherty, Cottell, L King, Makepeace, Jones, Newsam, Tucker, Clark, Peel, Baker, C King, Charlier, Foot, Read. Reps: Adams, Rawles, Burch, J Harries, Bosher, T Gower, M Fry

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