In a hard fought local derby where the lead changed hands no less than seven times Dorchester eventually came out on top, winning by four goals and two penalties to a goal, a try and four penalties.

Dorchester kicked off into the breeze and to the surprise of nobody soon found themselves six points behind, the Sherborne scrum half kicking two simple penalties. They were not behind for long however, Sam Prior had already made his mark with several bruising runs and when Dorchester were awarded a scrum five metres out from the Sherborne line the outcome was almost inevitable. As expected the big No 8 picked up and drove over, James Baker adding the conversion points.

A third penalty for the visitors retook the lead before a clever kick through the defence by Matt Read allowed Baker to touch down for Dorchester’s second try, again converted by the same player. Once again Sherborne hit back, the right winger showing great pace to get round the outside of the home defence and score in the corner. An excellent touchline conversion followed and the visitors were back in front. In the final action of the half James Baker had the chance to put Dorchester back in front but he fluffed the simple penalty attempt only to be given a second chance when the referee ruled that some of the Sherborne players were moving as he took the kick. Baker made no mistake with the retake.

Dorchester made a disastrous start to the second period, conceding a penalty in front of their own posts and losing flanker Joe Gower to the sinbin. The penalty was kicked but Dorchester managed to get through the rest of the ten minutes without conceding another score and on their return to fifteen men began to gain the upper hand. As the game entered the final quarter the hosts upped the pace of their game and the result was an outstanding try for inside centre Toby Waddington who broke several tackles in midfield before stepping his way round the cover defence and going over to the left of the posts.

The successful conversion gave the hosts a five point lead which lasted all of five minutes before Sherborne forced a turnover and several phases later their flanker scored wide out on the right. The failed conversion left the scores tied with time running out. Both sides were looking tense and, with the game likely to be decided by a single mistake, it was Dorchester who got the benefit of a penalty award from the referee. Although it was along way out James Baker stepped up and coolly converted the chance. Sherbone made a hash of the restart and from the resultant scrum Dorchester went blind allowing fullback Matt Read to sprint through a tiring defence and finally settle the match in Dorchester’s favour. Baker’s conversion added the icing on the cake.

Acheson Construction man of the match: James Baker

Team:  Bamlet (Chalker 65), Miners, Cottell, Hodges, Makepeace, J Gower (Dixon 65), Newsam, Prior; D Gower, Hunt; Baker, Waddington, Harvey, Pryce; Read;