Ali Vivian scores Dorchester's third try

Dorchester started off the new league season with a hard fought but well deserved victory over Bournemouth based Oakmeadians.

The visitors, who were relegated last season, started brightly and opened the scoring with an easy penalty after the home side were caught offside in front of their own posts. Oakmeadians continued to shade the game territorially but Dorchester’s total domination of the set piece ensured that the visitors were unable to create any scoring opportunities.

Rich Bament equalised with a 40 metre penalty goal before two quick tries opened up what proved to be a winning margin. Firstly scrum half Gareth Biddle finished of a text book blind side move involving No 8 Ali Vivian and full back Matt Read, then persistent hounding of the Oaks three’s by James Newsam turned the ball over and quick passing allowed his fellow flanker to cross in the same corner.

Bament added the extras for the first but narrowly missed the second conversion. A further Bament penalty gave Dorchester a comfortable fifteen point lead at the break.

The second half turned into a battle of attrition. Oaks fought on gamely but their continued failings at the scrum meant that they were unable to win the quality possession required to threaten the Dorchester defence. The home side did not help themselves either by losing two men to the sin bin.

A third successful penalty by Bament put the issue beyond doubt and then, in the dying moments, Ali Vivian took advantage of some tired tackling to cross for try number three. Bament’s conversion concluded the scoring.

Acheson Construction man of the match: Steve Hodgson

Team:  Warren (Miners 60), Chalker, Hodgson, Makepeace (King 65), Mitchell, J Gower, Newsam, Vivian; Biddle, Bament; Baker, Clifford (Fry 65), Harvey, Croft; Read

Idris Martins match pictures - click here