DORCHESTER 30

SWANAGE & WAREHAM 37

DORCHESTER narrowly lost out 37-30 to Dorset counterparts Swanage & Wareham in their Tribute Southern Counties South clash at Surcouf Park.

Games between these two old rivals are invariably close and this match was no exception, the two sides sharing 12 tries and the difference being Dorchester’s lack of a goal-kicker.

After 15 minutes of sparring the hosts opened the scoring, a break down the blindside finished by skipper Steve Tucker.

Swans hit back immediately with two tries in five minutes, Marcus Seaton crossing before Harry Spyers proved just too quick for Dorchester’s inexperienced three-quarter line.

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The home side were back on level terms before the break, however, stand-in fly-half Lewis Allan on hand to benefit from Jack Hayward’s break.

The second half started disastrously for Dorchester. The restart failed to go the required 10 meters and from the resulting scrum Swans flooded the blind side and Darren Penney scored a converted try in the left corner.

Once again Dorchester’s restart failed to go the required distance and once again Swans used the scrum as a base to score via Matt Roberts in the left corner. This time the try went unconverted, but Swans now led by 12.

Undaunted, Dorchester went back on the attack and left winger Deklyn Bane forced his way over in the corner.

It now appeared that the momentum had shifted in Dorchester’s favour but just as it appeared they had created another chance, Spyers picked off the potential scoring pass and ran in unopposed.

The successful conversion stretched the lead to 14. Once again Dorchester refused to lie down and tries from Scott Peach and Kieran Fry closed the gap before a simple penalty and a sixth Swans try opened up a winning lead.

Dorchester, already with one bonus point went looking for a second one and, with the last play of the game, Hayward broke though and touched down for Dorchester’s sixth try and restricted the lead to just seven points.

This result leaves the county town outfit in seventh place in the table with 51 points to their name.

One final game awaits them next Saturday at third-placed Swindon. Josh Ovey will be hoping for better news on availability and injury, in the hope that should results go in Dorchester’s favour and they can pick up points on the road, the highest they can now end the campaign is fifth place.

Given Ovey’s targets for the season, his team have performed well, and many new younger players have proved themselves more than capable of competing at senior level.

The next home action at Surcouf Park is the Family Fun Day on Good Friday, with a club XV led by first-team skipper Steve Tucker taking on a Surcouf XV.

The Fun Day is the brainchild of club legend Lloyd Surcouf and his wife Sandie. To thank all those who have played a part in the club’s success, this day is now an annual fixture.

There will be a hog roast, bouncy castle and much more for all to enjoy and celebrate the end of the season.