Dorchester 20

FROME 7

DORCHESTER went into this potentially tricky fixture with a much-needed confidence boost, following victory over Devizes, and although the final score appears comfortable the game was anything but.

The hosts got off to a flying start when straight from the kick-off a poor clearance fell into the arms of James Baker, who fed Idris Croft for a simple run to the left-hand corner.

Frome’s game plan was clearly to keep the ball in the forwards and attack close to the breakdown. A plan that was undermined somewhat by them being soundly beaten in the set scrum.

Ten minutes in and another poor clearance led to the county town side’s second try, this time Ben Hunt strolling into the same corner. Rich Bament narrowly missed with both conversion attempts.

The visitors finally worked their way into the home 22 and this time it was a poor clearance kick from the hosts that allowed Frome a line-out only five metres out.

They duly won the line-out and rumbled over for a try which was converted with an excellent kick from the touchline.

As the half drew to a close the game began to get a little fractious, with Gareth Biddle and the Frome openside both sent to the cooler for 10 minutes. Nevertheless, half-time arrived with Dorchester leading by three points.

The second half was evenly contested for long periods. Frome continued to pick and drive while Dorchester tried to attack a little wider, but neither side was able to break the deadlock.

Then, midway through the half, the game was transformed in a couple of minutes.

First Bament, who had missed several difficult penalty attempts, made no mistake from in front of the posts when the visitors were caught offside.

Then, from the restart, Chris Miners found a huge hole in the Frome defence and when he was finally stopped he offloaded to James Newsam who set up the ruck.

Quick ball was spread the full width of the pitch and full-back Lee Harvey crossed for the crucial try. Bament’s conversion was the icing on the cake.

Frome tried desperately to gain the score that would give them a losing bonus point but Dorchester, who have the most miserly defence in Southern Counties South, were in no mood to allow them a consolation of any kind.

Dorchester: Warren, Chalker, Cottell (Duncan 60), Makepeace, Broadbent, Miners, Newsam, Sergison (C Mitchell 20), D Gower, Bament, Baker, Hunt, Croft, Biddle (Cree 75), Harvey.

Man of the Match: James Newsam