Following three very narrow defeats Dorchester finally managed to gain a victory in this the closest of games. There was never more than a score between the two sides and the result was in doubt right to the final whistle.
Devizes, who were on an excellent run themselves, had transport problems resulting in less than ideal preperations.
However, it was the visitors who started the better. Emergency fullback Idris Croft was caught in two minds as the ball rolled towards the touchline allowing Devizes to gain possesion and score the opening try which was duly converted. Two penalties from Rich Bament got the hosts back into the contest before another Dorchester mistake allowed a second converted try to the visitors.
The home side were starting to get on top particularly at scrum time and it was only at the cost of a succession of penalties that Devizes prevented them crossing the line. Two more Bament penalties did close the gap to a single point at the break.
The second half continued in much the same vein, Dorchester marginally on top but unable to gain any real reward for their efforts. That was until flanker Chris Miners broke from a maul on the ten metre line, rounded the fullback and outpaced the cover to the try line. The conversion was missed but Dorchester were in the lead for the first time.
The visitors were stung into action and in their best period of the half piled the pressure on the Dorchester line. The home defence held firm but Devizes did manage to kick a penalty to level the scores. They also missed a couple of further attempts that would have taken them back in front. With five minutes to go Dorchester were awarded another penalty, which Bament calmly converted.
With time ticking away Dorchester made the mistake of trying to run the ball out of their own twenty two and were duly penalised. The Devizes fly half again levelled the scores but there was still time for one last Dorchester attack, the visiting centres were caught offside and Bament stepped and won the match for the hosts.
Acheson Construction man of the match: Chris Miners.
Team:- Warren, Chalker, Bamlet, Makepeace, Vivian (C Mitchell 60), Miners, Newsam, Sergison (Dixon 60); D Gower, Bament; Baker, Hunt, Waddington, T Gower; Croft.
