DORCHESTER 20

YEOVIL 50

A MUCH improved second half performance earned Dorchester a try bonus point in their 50-20 loss to Yeovil as the home side slipped closer to relegation from Wadworth 6X Southern Counties South.

Dorchester were under the cosh right from the start as the visitors ran in three quick tries, two of which were converted, in the opening quarter.

The home side looked a bit laboured and uncertain of their game plan, but a rare Dorchester attack saw full-back Jack Chatfield sprint into the left corner for the hosts’ only points in the first half.

Yeovil then added three more tries and a conversion to lead by 31 points at the break.

After some stern words during the interval, Dorchester produced a much improved effort and dominated the second half for long periods.

Yeovil lost two players to the bin on separate occasions as things turned fractious but Dorchester could not quite capitalise on the extra man.

James Baker scored twice before Yeovil crossed for their seventh try.

Needing to make some changes due to injuries, Dorchester threw caution to wind and ran the ball at every opportunity, they got due reward when Jamie Morgan touched down for the fourth bonus point try.

However, Yeovil had the last word scoring with the last play of the game.

The result means that Dorchester sit nine points behind 10th-placed Thatcham with two games still to play.

The weekend score over local rivals was evened by Dorchester’s Colts who ran out 29-17 against their counterparts, and the ever strong girls’ under-18 team came away from Ellingham & Ringwood with a 32-17 win, while Dorchester’s under-13s enjoyed a successful tour to Cornwall.

Dorchester travel to champions Sherborne on Saturday.