BLANDFORD 6

DORCHESTER 17

DORCHESTER eased past Blandford 17-6 in this Senior Vase first round match.

Played in continuous light rain, the conditions played a major part in the game with both sides struggling with the wet greasy ball.

The first half was fairly even but Dorchester, with scrum-half Dave Clark controlling the game, always looked the more comfortable and it was the visitors who took the lead.

George Foot’s kick into the corner was chased down by Jack Ward who was tackled just short but offloaded to the supporting James Newsam who crossed for the try which went unconverted.

The hosts lost a man to the bin following a high tackle but two long-range penalties from the Blandford skipper gave them a single-point lead at the break.

However, there was no panic from the visitors and Dorchester dominated the second half, rarely allowing Blandford out of their own half.

Brave defence by the hosts kept Dorchester at bay for a while but it was only a matter of time before they retook the lead.

Foot collected a poor clearance kick and freed Louis Verkaik on the left wing who outpaced his opposite number before slaloming his way across the pitch, beating several defenders, before scoring by the posts. Rob Parker added the extras.

Dorchester continued to apply the pressure and finally tight-head Chris Elliott forced his way over to close the game out and earn a home tie against Melksham in the next round on Saturday, November 2.

The county town side’s next league outing is Bournemouth Thirds away this Saturday.