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For the second away fixture in a row the weather was very unkind to all concerned. The driving rain and wind were bad enough but the freezing temperature made it a very uninviting cocktail. That said all the usual suspects turned out for Dorch and we had nearly enough players for two sides. We even were able to lend Lytchett a player to make it a fair contest. Harry Dunning and James McKendry took it in turns to play against their mates and both showed that they will always give 100% whoever they are playing for.
Unfortunately this week I am unable to give you a score by score description of the game as the weather turned my notes to papier mache. However I put the mulch to good use and created a very life-like effigy of Guy to be placed in the Dorch hall of fame!! At least I can give you an over view of a very exciting game. It went from end to end with both sides passing the ball well despite the conditions. Both teams also showed how they can dig in and put in tackle after tackle.
Dorch opened the scoring with a fine try by Peeley. Lytchett came straight back at Dorch scoring themselves soon after. The score then fluctuated between the two sides with neither managing to pull more than 1 try ahead. Further Dorch scorers were James Ellwood, Sam Critchel and a player named Will who's new to the side this season. I wrote down his surname but it has been destroyed (I'll put that right next week!)
The weather contributed to several errors on both sides. Peeley was again drawn towards the touchline during his many storming runs as if it were magnetic and his boots iron.
All in all players from both sides put on a magnificent show with Dorch just edging it at 6 - 5. Finally a brief mention of the parents v the team practice match. I think all parents graphically demonstrated that they can talk a good game!!
Blandford 5 v Dorchester 3
It rained and it rained but the weather couldn't dampen the spirits of both sides who produced a thrilling game. On a huge pitch it was Dorch who scored first, passing the ball well before Johnny Reed powered through. Blandford replied quickly with a direct run taking advantage of the slope. Dorch pressed again but were unlucky when they let the wet ball drop just short of the line. Dorch continued to attack and their efforts were soon rewarded when Tom Pope went over to score in the corner. 2 - 1 to Dorch.
Back came Blandford once more with some strong runs that were repelled but it was only a matter of time. Dorch found it difficult to hang on to the tags in the wet weather and paid the price with Blandford scoring to level at 2 all. Now it was Dorchester's turn to apply the pressure coming close to scoring when tackled on the line. They continued to press and another powerful run from Johnny produced a try for Tom Stokes who was, as always, up in support when it mattered. 3 - 2 to Dorch.
Dorch managed to stay in the lead at half-time due to an impressive tackle by Tom Pope. He chased back half the length of the field to make the tackle and prevent a certain score.
The second half saw 6 changes for Dorch but this in no way weakened the team as the squad is so strong. Yet it was a game of two halves as in the second period Dorch had no answer to Blandford's tall blond star. Try as they might Dorch were unable to stop him and Blandford were able to run in 3 tries without reply to win the game 5 - 3.
Despite the atrocious weather, I did not hear one word of complaint from either set of players who got on with the job that they are doing increasingly well - playing the game of rugby.
Chard 2 Dorchester 4
Although there was another rugby match of interest this weekend this was the biggee, the U8s first competitive match of the season away to Chard.
Most of the old faces from last year had shown up and were joined by some new arrivals. All seem to have eaten their greens over the summer and have shot up in height.
The game started with Chard on the attack with only a knock on halting a possible score. Dorch then got going and were only repelled by some dogged tackling by Chard on their line. There then followed a period of clumsy, perhaps rusty, play with both sides passing forward and getting into offside positions. Dorch were the first to touch the ball down but the "try" was rightly not awarded due to a stray foot in touch. Chard replied with pressure in this evenly matched game but Dorch tackled well with Arthur Crittall particularly to the fore.