As close as the score line suggests! However before any match report the writer’s observations on the behaviour of a coach and parents/supporters from the opposition. When a phone call is received the evening before the game from the host club stating they haven’t got a referee and would we provide one (to which we agreed) it would have been good manners to acknowledge the efforts of the referee in allowing the game to go ahead instead of verbally abusing him throughout the game.

This was a physical game from the outset and despite the best efforts of the home touch judge to influence the referee Dorchester in the end were the better organized side and who were intent on playing some rugby and should have added to their winning total several times over, but credit to Keynsham who competed well at the breakdown and secured plenty of turnover but then struggled to do anything with it. The only score of the game after 12 minutes when the home side infringed at a ruck and Harry Smith coolly slotted a 30 meter kick.

Loose head Luke Doherty caught the opposition napping when he broke from the half way line and had he gone for the corner he surely would have scored as it was the home full back did well to catch him and bring him up short. From the ensuing scrum Josh Younger did touch down only for the home touch judge to indicate foot in touch. The first half ended with an unsuccessful penalty kick for the visitors.

The second half belonged to the visitors but for all their possession and territory they couldn’t break through. The home side defended for much of the half and consequently conceded a barrage of penalties. When Keynsham did get into Dorchester's half found they were second best. From a Dorchester line out, which wasn’t straight, the Keynsham No: 8 thought he had stolen the ball and crashed over, unfortunately the whistle had already gone.

With time ticking by they mounted a series of drives only to be repelled by a Dorchester defence expertly marshaled by captain Charlie Lake. With Dorchester securing turnover at the last play John Bowden safely kicked the ball into touch.

This was a tremendous effort by the green and white of Dorchester and each of the squad should be proud of their effort.

The coaches are concerned that some players are not always committed to the cause and one or two need to arrange their weekends so they are available and not just make themselves available for local games.