SWINDON COLLEGE OLD BOYS 40

DORCHESTER 14

DORCHESTER received a heavy 40-14 defeat at Swindon College Old Boys in a wakeup call in their first game in Southern Counties South for three seasons.

The pattern of the first half was set early as the hosts kicked an early penalty to the corner and then used their big pack to rumble over for the opening try.

The following 30 minutes were played almost entirely in the Dorchester half as the visitors’ understrength pack struggled to contain the power and intensity of their opposite numbers.

Two further converted tries were added and Dorchester trailed by 19 points.

Finally as the half drew to a close Dorchester managed to string some phases together and appeared to have created an overlap out wide.

The ball went to ground however, which allowed the Swindon winger to pick up and run half the length of the pitch unopposed to score the bonus point try.

Strong words from the coach in the break saw a significant improvement, and, despite suffering several injuries which required a rejigging of both the backs and the forwards, Dorchester were much more competitive in the second period.

The hosts did add two further converted tries but Dorchester finished the game strongly and debutant Jed Gravelle showed great pace and balance, crossed twice with two converted tries in the final quarter.

Following the game Eral Anderson, one of the joint-head coaches, said: “It was a tough opening game for this campaign. We had our eyes opened to the challenge ahead, and when we picked up injuries this was never going to be an easy challenge.

“We were delighted for Jed to get his first tries for the club in his debut game, and we will learn and move on.

“Our next game is at home to Thatcham, who also lost this weekend. Our target is to make sure we win that game.”

Meanwhile, Dorchester’s A XV started their season with a solid home win against North Dorset III.

Rob Parker’s men ran in eight tries with Luc Scadden running in a hat trick despite a yellow card early in the game.

Captain Parker slotted over six conversions and 1 penalty in his sides 55-15 win.

Dorchester, Weymouth and Portland Ladies side fell to Amesbury in their first game of the new season, but there were many positive points to take forward into the next game.