Dorchester went into this fixture reasonably optimistically, with a strong bench, and a better record against the league leaders than their visitors. An initial onslaught was expected and duly received, with Swans’ forwards applying sustained pressure well within the Gladiators’ 22. However, the ball was eventually cleared, and the hosts finally got some possession. Moving the ball around in the backs paid off, and eventually Roly Harries went over.
A few minutes later hooker Nico Brookes took advantage of a Rich Elliott break to sprint 30 metres and score under the posts.
The game then evened out a little, with Swan’s scrum pushing Dorchester back at will. The visitors’ big forwards exerted further pressure, eventually scoring, once from a pushover. Dorchester bounced back with a Rob Grassby try, and it was heartening to see that he was well supported as he made it. Swans made further efforts, with their hooker being denied in the corner by the Dorchester wing from a front ball off a line out. The half time whistle went with the hosts in control at 17-10, pretty much as expected, though with some worries about the scrum.
The scrum worries proved to be well-founded. Dorchester’s front row of 3 hookers did their best but were struggling. The designated front row replacements (a wing and a lock) would not have done any better though. Soon after the restart Swans scored to take the match uncomfortably close, before the evergreen openside Rich Elliott found himself on the wing outpacing the nearest Swan, for a converted score.
Nothing daunted Swans kept attacking, and Dorchester appeared to lose a little focus. Eventually Swans scored in the corner, closing the gap to a single score. Dorchester launched some excellent attacks from Morry Jones at fullback, Rich Elliott, and Jack Rolf on the wing, but all were eventually snuffed out. A scrum near Dorchester’s line boded ill for the hosts, and sure enough Swans pushed it over, retained control, and scored, making the conversion, to take the lead for the first time.
The restart was called as last play. Rich Elliott and Jack Rolf combined again in a last ditch effort to snatch the game back but sadly the ball was knocked on. The Dorchester players felt they had rather thrown the game away, but congratulated their visitors sincerely for never giving up and ultimately reaping the rewards.
The next match for the Gladiators is on 17 December, away to Weymouth 3.
The Gladiators are Dorchester's third team. 
