DORCHESTER 5

SHERBORNE 34

DORCHESTER were well beaten 34-5 by Wadworth 6X Southern Counties South table-toppers Sherborne but both teams should be congratulated for providing an entertaining game in truly atrocious conditions at Coburg Road.

Played in continuous rain and on a sodden pitch it was no surprise that both teams played to a fairly limited game plan but Sherborne had the upper hand at both scrum and line-out resulting in Dorchester having to spend the majority of the first period defending.

The home defence held out for 15 minutes before a missed tackle allowed the Sherborne flanker a free run to the posts.

Dorchester had to mix up the pack a little when Dave Cottell was replaced by Tom Evans due to injury. Two more tries followed and with a single conversion Sherborne led 17-0 at the break.

In the second period, the hosts continued to defend doggedly and, despite only having limited possession, did their best to play a more expansive game.

The visitors added two more tries but Dorchester created several chances of their own and were finally rewarded when James Newsam caught Sherborne napping with a quickly-taken penalty.

He made ground before offloading to Callum King who crossed for the consolation try.

In the dying moments of the game, Sherborne added a final try to complete the scoring.

Dorchester’s next Southern Counties South match will be a trip to Thatcham on Saturday, January 5.

Dorchester sit one place off the bottom of the league while Thatcham are one place above them in 10th so the new year clash will be crucial.

The county town outfit will need to up the intensity of their game and string together a run of results to climb the table and avoid the drop.

The picture for the A XV looks far brighter. Dorchester sit top the Wadworth 6X Dorset & Wilts Two South table, after another good away win at Wheatsheaf, coming home with a 20-6 scoreline.

Rob Parker’s men continue to push for success having only lost two games this season so far to Salisbury and Swanage & Wareham.

Their next game being home to Swanage & Wareham, where they will look to overturn that previous result.

Dorchester’s third XV Gladiators head into the Christmas break second in the Wadworth 6X Dorset & Wilts Three South table.

With Tony O’Connell’s side not playing now until late January, they will hope results go their way to take points from Poole who sit top of the table.

Elsewhere, Weymouth & Portland did not have a fixture after North Dorset Seconds withdrew from Wadworth 6X Dorset & Wilts One South.

The Seahorses currently sit in fourth, just a point behind Sherborne Second in third, who have 27 points.

With Oakmeadians lurking a point adrift of the Monmouth Avenue side, carrying a game in hand, their position of fourth could be in jeopardy when play resumes in the New Year.

Weymouth & Portland will host Bridport in a derby on Saturday, January 5.

Bridport currently lie in last place having collected just five points from a poor season thus far. Their points difference of -344 is the worst in the division.

The Blues also had a bye weekend but are safe in the knowledge that a bonus-point win, utilising their game in hand, would draw them level with rivals Puddletown, who occupy ninth.

Puddle, who next visit Wimborne Seconds, were one of the few teams to have fulfilled a fixture, with Blandford coming out on top with a dominant 38-13 win.