From being top of the table last week by virtue of the team name being nearer the beginning of the alphabet than the other team, Dorchester Gladiators are now clearly top with a points difference of 133.
Learning the lesson from last week Dorchester started brightly and quickly had 3 tries on the board, then after a brief pause more followed. At half time the extensive bench was brought on, and after a scoreless period while the newcomers found their feet, the board started ticking over again.
Several tries came from superb individual attacks, but many came from good support and offloads, and quick recycling. The defence was up to everything the Swans could throw at it. Highlights included Luke in his first ever game scoring towards the end of the match, and a storming performance from prop Gareth Patterson.
Lighter moments included Sam dropping the ball instead of putting it down to score, which unfortunately the ref spotted (as did everyone else on and off the pitch – but he did score at least two anyway so no-one minded); Peeley flying (ahem!) down the wing with his shiny new black and yellow boots, and Allan giving Swans their best chance of a score by fumbling a kick-off and somehow knocking the ball all the way back into Dorchester’s in-goal area, setting up what would have been a 5 metre scrum to Swans had the ref not blown for half time.
All credit to Swans for keeping on trying, and refusing the referee’s offer of an early whistle.
Next week the Gladiators are away to Blandford II.
