Dorchester, without a league fixture this weekend, took on Ivel Barbarians from Southern Counties South at Coburg Road. In a competitive and entertaining match the home side came out on top despite gifting the visitors two late tries.
An early penalty from Rich Bament put Dorchester in front as they dominated the first half hour. Hooker Mat Chalker extended the lead, sprinting in from thirty metres after good work from Stephen Hodgson and Jack Elliott. In the tricky wind Bament was unable to add the conversion.
Ivel came into the game more in the second half but Dorchester appeared to be in control until two sloppy mistakes in failing to clear the ball from inside their own twenty two presented Ivel with two simple tries. Again the wind meant that both scores went unconverted but Dorchester were now two points behind with a quarter of an hour to go. They were not behind for long though, winning good quick ball deep in Ivel territory, Dorchester moved the ball into midfield where prop Stephen Hodgson strolled through a gap and touched down under the posts without a defender getting anywhere near him. Bament added the extras.
Ivel made a final effort to save the game but they were to be frustrated by Dorchester’s solid defence.
Next week Dorchester are back in league action away at Wimborne and hopefully Saturday’s run out will have helped to overcome the inevitable rustiness from not having played since before Christmas.
