DORCHESTER 79

NORTH DORSET II 5

NORTH Dorset were the visitors to Coburg Road for the first game of the new year and they had the misfortune to come against a fully fired up Dorchester side.

Following a scrappy opening five minutes, the hosts produced 30 minutes of irresistible running rugby.

Callum King was the first to put his name on the scoreboard quickly followed by Matt Read and Steve Tucker.

In a rare visit to the home 22, North Dorset did manage a solitary score, the fly-half breaking several tackles and outpacing the cover.

The minor setback did not dent Dorchester’s confidence however, and, following a well-worked line-out ploy Lee King touched down for the bonus point try.

Leading scorer James Baker was next to score in the left corner before King completed his hat-trick with two more tries.

And there was still time for Baker to bag a second. Baker also converted six of the eight tries to take Dorchester score past 50 at the break.

It was no surprise that the hosts were unable to keep up the pace in the second period.

They did however, add five more tries without any reply.

Baker completed his hat-trick followed by debutant scrum-half Tom Bradbury diving over in the right corner.

Club captain James Newsam, replacement winger George Foot and 17-year-old Alex Peel all added a try apiece as the visitors could do nothing to counter Dorchester’s pace and power.

The county town side remain top of the league table two points clear of Wimborne Seconds with a huge points difference of +432.

Their next game is away to seventh-placed Swanage & Wareham Seconds on Saturday.

This result was the start to the new year the team needed, and there were no signs of a post-Christmas lull in the pace of the game.

Head coach Ben Parker said: “If I’m honest, this was one of our best performances to date. The lads grafted from the start and remained dominant throughout. I gave them goals to achieve during the game and they achieved these.

“But I still think there is plenty to work on with the aim of stepping up to Southern Counties next season if we achieve promotion. We will go straight back to training on Tuesday to start again.”

Dorchester’s A side won at East Dorset 34-17 in Dorset & Wilts Two South.

Parker added: “It was also good to see the A XV continuing their good form, winning what on paper was a tough game away.

“This is a direct result from the hard work being put in by everyone at training and the recent high numbers of those involved.”

The third XV Gladiators lost 49-10 at Ringwood & Ellingham in Dorset & Wilts Three South.