WALCOT 32

DORCHESTER 24

FRUSTRATED Dorchester fell to their second defeat of the season away at Walcot in a 32-24 loss in Southern Counties South.

The match started badly for the visitors when they lost fly-half Alex Peel to a muscle injury in the first few minutes but George Foot was on the bench as an ideal replacement.

The county town side were soon on the attack and, after several drives for the line, Dave Gower’s reverse pass put James Newsam over for the opening, albeit, unconverted try.

There followed 15 minutes of madness by Dorchester as they sloppily conceded 25 unanswered points.

Three tries, two of which were converted, and two penalties appeared to have put Walcot in complete control.

An adjustment in the back division stiffened the defence and Dorchester fought their way back into the game.

Jamie Morgan was inches short of the line but James Baker was on hand to touch down in the left corner while Baker’s successful conversion closed the gap to 13 points at the break.

Dorchester had much the better of the second half, creating but failed to take several scoring chances, before second row Cameron Wills crashed over from close range.

Baker’s conversion narrowed the gap to a single score. Then, with 10 minutes remaining, Jed Gravelle sprinted into the right corner and, although Baker’s conversion drifted wide, Dorchester looked odds on to close out the win.

However, some ill discipline from Dorchester allowed the hosts to escape from their own half and put their right winger in at the corner. The successful conversion denied Dorchester a losing bonus point and they had to settle for the single try bonus point.

The management team expressed their disappointment and frustration at the loss and commented that some players had exceptional games, and that some reflection needed to take place. They did however say that next weekend is a new game and that they were not looking back at disappointments.

However, both the A XV and the Gladiators team overcame Lytchett Minster and Ringwood & Ellingham in Dorset & Wilts Two and Three respectively.

Rob Parker again led his A XV to another win, with new joint head coach, Eral Anderson making his playing debut for the club in the 36-13 win over Lytchett. The ref did make life difficult for the home side giving a high number of penalties against them. Post match vice captain Laurence Burch commented that Lytchett had definitely tested Dorchester and pushed the home side to the limits, but that the game plan and sheer graft won the game.

The Gladiators won 38-22 at Ringwood & Ellingham, despite a number of injuries.

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