DORCHESTER 45

BRADFORD-ON-AVON 24

DORCHESTER grabbed a big 45-24 win over Bradford to join the chasing pack hunting the top three, and put further distance between them and the bottom three.

Dorchester sit eighth and are now one of four teams on 10 points and just five points off third-placed Frome.

The hosts started the game brightly from the kick off and within five minutes, Nick Emtage scored the first of the day for the home side with a fine opportunist try which was converted by James Baker.

A knock-on by James Newsam gifted the opposition a penalty which was kicked. However, from the resulting kick-off, Newsam redeemed himself with a try. Dorchester’s scrum was now working well and often had the visitors moving backwards.

Dave Gower got himself on the scoresheet with a typical scrum-half try around the side of the pack.

However, a series of mistakes and handling errors then handed Bradford a try which they converted.

Following a number of team warnings by the referee for repeated infringements, Matt Fry was the unlucky player shown the yellow card at the next offence.

However, Jamie Morgan then successfully carved a great line through the opposition defence with Dorchester down a man to pick up the bonus point on half-time.

This helped the county town side go into the break with a healthy 26-10 lead.

Dorchester again hit the opposition early on in the second period, with man of the match Josh Hosford picking up from a line-out close to halfway and finishing the move with a try.

Baker, the home side’s prolific scorer, then ran in a try which he converted putting Dorchester well in control.

Bradford managed a reply with a try before George Foot put the result out of doubt for Dorchester with the final try of the day.

The coaching team of Eral Anderson and Martyn Peel said that while they were delighted with the win, there was still much to improve on and work to be done in training to tighten up defence.

With training numbers remaining high and competition for places strong, the coaches are confident of more good performances and now target a win away from home.

Dorchester’s A XV, led by Rob Parker, returned home from Wimborne with another bonus point Dorset & Wlts Two South win, 50- 22, to make it the perfect day for the county town club.

The country town’s third team Gladiators were handed a home walkover due to Blandford being unable to field a side in Three South. The three sides now sit eighth, second and second in their respective leagues with both the second and third sides yet to lose a league game.

Not missing out on the action, the combined Dorchester, Weymouth and Portland Ladies team won on the road at Swanage & Wareham 24-12.

A delighted coach, Sam Wilson, said how proud she was of her side and the work they put in.

Dorchester’s first team travel to Corsham on Saturday, October 20.