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Lytchett Minster 0 Dorchester 40
The game was played in freezing temperatures and lashing rain and credit must go to both sides for their events in such horrible weather. From the kick off Dorchester put pressure on Lytchett and after only 2 minutes, Lewis Mussenden ripped the ball clear from a maul and broke through a couple of tackles to score in the corner.
Ed Grassby got on the score sheet quickly after when he pounce on a loos ball behinf the Lythcett line after a strong run from Christopher Elliott. George Askew converted both these tries, but missed the next after Jack Hargreaves had outpaced the cover to go over on the right. The next try was the best of the match – a well timed pass from Anton Schwarz put Jack Blaken into some space on the left. He cut back inside twice before then swerving back outside, and then breaking through two tackles to score. The try had been made by good handling by Dorchester’s backs and despite the conditions, this had been a feature of the first half. HT 0-26
The second half started as the first had concluded with Dorchester’s pack setting up good field position, and supplying good ball for their backs. Lewis Mussenden repeated his effort of the first half, again ripping the ball and going over for his second try. Andy Matthews then completed the scoring of the truncated second half (shortened to save from frostbite!!). Chasing up a speculative kick ahead, he pressured the Lytchett cover, collected the ball 30m from the line, and showed good pace and strength to drive over with three defenders holding on to him. Both tries were well converted by Ryan Lawrence.
The second game this season saw Dorchester travelling to Blandford for a game in wet and windy conditions that made ball handling challenging for both teams. The first half started well with Edward Grassby running up the wing to score a well placed ball in the corner to score the first try, Ruben Wilson converted it to put Dorchester in the lead within the first two minutes. Eight minutes latter another try from Joshua Cable saw Dorchester extend its lead to 12-0. Lewis Mussenden picked the ball up from a ruck and run through four players scoring a third try twelve minutes into the game, unfortunately injuring his ankle in the process meant he was forced to exit the game. Reuben Wilson again took the conversion but his ability to convert the try was made hard by the prevailing weather conditions. Blandford two minutes from the end of the first half scored and converted a try making the half time score 17-7 to Dorchester.
With the loss of No8 Lewis Mussenden the pack struggled to win possession from the scrum throughout the second half, Dorchester lost focus in the rucks and mauls that ensued, but some good tackling by Edward Grassby and Jack Hargreaves made Blandford work for possession. Blandford’s improved focus and consistency saw some good ball handling, rucking and mauling. Blandford scored with another try and conversion bringing the score up to 17-14 to Dorchester. Dorchester lost focus and several opportunities were wasted with Edward Grassby turning to present the ball on two occasions, only to be let down by the forwards who were not there in support. Ruben Wilson made several breaks but was stopped by Blandford, who managed to turn the game around to their advantage. Jack Hargreaves worked extra hard in the second half and was awarded man of the match for his outstanding tackling and cross field cover when Dorchester was placed under pressure. A disappointing loss for Dorchester who could have won with a little more focus in the second half.
Dorchester started the season well with this victory but were made to work hard for it, only sealing the win late in the game. The first half was an even contest with the only score coming from Dorchester when good follow-up pressure after the Chard full-back dropped an up-and-under, allowed the ball to be fed to Anton Schwarz to score. Jack Hargreaves converted to make the half-time score 7-0.
Dorchester started the second half poorly, allowing Chard to take a quick tap-penalty 10m out and stroll through several attempted tackles to score an unconverted try to make it 7-5. Pulling themselves together, they slowly regained control, working their way upfield before an incisive backs move opened up the Chard defence, Reuben Wilson managing to get the ball down to score a try which he converted himself. There were still two sides in the game until the final move of the game – good line out ball from the pack was spun left, and from the ensuing maul, man of the match No. 8 Lewis Mussenden ripped the ball clear and broke through several tackles to score a deserved try, again converted by Reuben Wilson.