BLANDFORD 3

DORCHESTER 13

DORCHESTER extended their winning streak to 16 Wadworth Dorset & Wilts One South games with a hard-fought 13-3 win at Blandford.

Dorchester, playing with the strong winds of Storm Jorge in the first half, dominated from the off pinning the hosts in their own 22 for long periods.

However, with frequent hail storms disrupting any attempts to play expansive rugby, it was fully 20 minutes before the visitors managed to open their account as Dave Gower put skipper James Newsam over under the posts, Baker adding the extras.

Two further penalties by Baker gave the county town outfit a 13-point lead at the break.

Conditions improved significantly in the second half but Dorchester’s lead was looking fragile, especially when the Blandford fly-half kicked an early penalty.

Blandford stuck to their tried and tested gameplan of trying to bash their way through Dorchester’s midfield but were unable to make any significant line breaks as the defence held firm.

Blandford never looked like scoring a try and despite suffering several injuries the visitors played out the second half reasonably comfortably.

With next weekend’s opponents Weymouth losing, Dorchester sit atop the table 11 points clear of their nearest rivals, with all eyes on the Ridgeway Rumble at Surcouf Park on Saturday.

At home, Dorchester’s A XV recorded another narrow loss to Ellingham & Ringwood, with the final outcome 31-26.

Matt Fry was clearly disappointed with the result, calling on his side to play for the full 80 minutes and to drop the unfortunate “nearly team” label.

With the side losing by a try or less in three recent games, both captain and vice-captain have encouraged the squad to train together and become more cohesive from the first minute of the game.

The Ridgeway Roses also had a tough day at the office, having missed a number of games due to the recent storms, and went down to a strong Yeovil Ladies side 54-0.

Players of the match for the Roses were Philipa Hunter and Coralie Russell.

Dorchester: Cottell, Ovey, Bamlet, Harries, L King, Hosford, Sharpe, Newsam; D Gower, C King; T Gower, Dowell, Baker, Boyd-Paton; McKendry. Gale, Skidmore, Marsden.

CONTACT US:

t: 01305 830955

e: sport

@dorsetecho.co.uk

twitter: @Dorsetechosport