What a difference a week makes ! With a squad of 20 (unlike 13 last week !), Bursting with (very) raw talent, the Gladiators were quietly confident that they would put on a good performance against a team which we have often lost to in the past.
Matt Fry marked his Gladiators debut with a try, a conversion, and after about 1 minute a penalty. Then he had to go to work, so the kicking duties were taken over by a variety of wannabe Jonny Wilkinsons, with a variety of results. As a result Dorchester made no more conversions, and some of the kicking to touch was truly awful. One shot went backwards.
Nevertheless Dorchester played well, dominating the first half with further tries from captain Ed Taylor and Sam Akokhia (only got one this match – must be getting old after 4 weeks). Bournemouth managed one in return. Dorchester’s cunning front row management plan was shattered by its proper prop Barry Clarke going off injured after about 10 minutes, so the replacement who would have covered for Ben Sennett had to come on then, and Ben had to play the full match at prop, which he did very well and without complaint.
At half time Dorchester made full use of its extensive bench, and immediately got tangled up in knots as the back line found themselves struggling with several novice (and a couple of elderly) players out of position. Bournemouth snaffled two tries in quick succession from their speedy right wing and full back, and were close to getting another but fortunately Kevin Reid was on hand to dot down the loose ball for a 22 metre drop-out. Some hasty rearrangement of the Dorchester back line and constant encouragement from the more experienced players meant that the hosts climbed back into the driving seat, with a good long range try for lock Alex Skidmore showing his speed, a short range try for Tom Evans and the pack, and novice Rory Palmer near the end showing even better speed, and continuing the Gladiators home tradition (started a fortnight previously by Luke) of scoring in his first ever rugby match. Bournemouth did manage to sneak another try but in the end the Gladiators were relatively comfortable winners.
Next week the Gladiators are away to Oakmeadians.
