The final score above wasn’t the only numerical advantage the home side secured as they conceded 17 penalties to Bradford’s 12, it was the keenness of the referee to blow up for every discretion meant the game was never going to be a fluid affair despite the visitors best efforts to make it one.
From the kick off Dorchester were under pressure and spent the first 15 minutes or so defending deep in their own half. With Charlie Lake marshaling the home defence were solid, however defending for that long in your own half you will concede penalties, having conceded 6 in the first 10 minutes it was surprising that the referee hadn’t sin binned a home player and equally odd was Bradford’s decision to run each of them when a simple kick would have secured an easy 3 points a time. Their patience was rewarded when a clearance kick was charged down and a Bradford player got the all important touch down. With kick successful Dorchester 0 v 7 Bradford.
Going behind seems to galvanize this Dorchester side and back they came and this time it was Bradford’s turn to defend and concede penalties. The home pack was starting to gain some ascendancy, after a period of sustained pressure Number 8 Lewis Glynn crashed over and with Harry Smith adding the extras the half ended all even with everything to play for.
The second half saw Dorchester start very quickly and securing territory in Bradford’s 22, time and time Dorchester were repelled and when they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts John Bowden whipped the ball to the right and it was Glynn who got his second try of the match, Smith added the extras. That was the home sides last meaningful territory and possession. Bradford must had have 80% territory and possession the second half, however they made some errors at crucial times and with Dorchester’s rush defence operating at full pace the visitors couldn’t find a way through.
In fairness when a side concedes so many penalties in the red zone and the referee does nothing about it; the other side has reason to complain. That said Bradford had their chances but didn’t take them. The home sides effort should not go unmentioned as every player played their heart out and won by virtue of taking their chances.
A big thank you to Bradford for making this a compelling game, it is always good to play different opposition.
