LEAGUE leaders Wimborne proved to be too strong for Dorchester, as the visitors fell to a 39-12 defeat in Counties One Tribute Southern South.

But if the away side had taken a few more of the many chances they created, the score could have been a lot closer.

The opening quarter was fairly even with both sides looking to spread the ball wide and it was the hosts’ left winger who opened the scoring with an unconverted try.

Dorchester’s scrum was on top once more, but Wimborne’s forwards were carrying strongly in the loose. After half an hour, Brook Legg levelled the scores with a try in the right corner.

As the half drew to a close, the hosts added two more tries, the second of which was converted, to open a 12-point gap.

In the final minutes, Dorchester laid siege to the Wimborne line but were unable to convert pressure into points.

The second half continued in the same vein. Wimborne, much more clinical in attack, added two unconverted tries.

A perfectly-executed move, straight off the training ground, saw Alex Peel stroll in untouched under the posts but his conversion proved to be Dorchester’s final points of the day.

Wimborne, however, added two more tries and a conversion in the final 10 minutes to give the scoreline a slightly flattering look.

The result strengthens Wimborne’s hold on top spot in the table, whilst Dorchester sit fifth, on the same points tally as Combe Down but with an inferior points difference on the pitch.

Meanwhile, Dorchester’s third XV Gladiators travelled to Bestwall Road on Friday evening for a Dorset & Wilts Matrix fixture with Swanage & Wareham’s third XV.

Arriving low on personnel, generous hosts Swans loaned the Gladiators a player so the fixture would remain equal, but ultimately the home side ran out victorious 45-10.

Toby Hoskins, making his senior debut for the club, picked up the Clayson Scaffolding player of the match for the visitors, whilst Max Baggley made his anticipated return from injury.

The County Town outfit now have a week off before returning to Surcouf Park for four home fixtures to end the first half of the season, the first of which is on November 26 against Frome seconds.