Dorchester’s Gladiators arrived at Wimborne with a simple plan – neutralise their big forwards and give the ball to our backs as much as possible. Unfortunately Wimborne’s forwards did not co-operate with being neutralised, which meant the backs did not get enough ball.
With a makeshift front row (with hooker Russell Dunn imported from Switzerland) facing a large pack, both teams agreed to keep the scrums safe with a low-intensity “hit”. The scrums were then able to remain contested throughout the game. Although this gave an advantage to Wimborne, a rugby game without contested scrums just isn’t the same.
Captain Allan Bickley won the toss and chose to play into the wind. As expected, Wimborne kept the ball largely in their forwards. The visitors were not quite able to get their tackles in quickly enough, so Wimborne soon trundled up the pitch and over for a converted try. A second followed soon after, unconverted, and it looked rather worrying for the visitors. However, another trundle into Dorchester’s 22 left a loose ball in front of Nathan Jennings, who pounced and sped off to score under the posts (converted by Morgan Jones) without a finger being laid on him. Wimborne applauded, then made sure Nathan was thoroughly marked thereafter.
The game became more even, with Dorchester able to gain and keep possession long enough to make ground. An unconverted try for Wimborne was countered by a tap penalty from Gareth Jones giving quick ball to son Morgan who weaved over for Dorchester’s second, duly converted. Dorchester went into the break just 5 points adrift, with good reasons for optimism.
However, a lack of reserves meant that Wimborne’s substantial reasonable bench gave them an advantage in the second half. Fresh legs coming on meant that their pack retained or even increased its edge. Wimborne’s backs also started to get more ball and used it effectively, getting a try to accompany one from their forwards’ impressive rolling maul. The hosts must have thought a pushover try was on the cards when they elected for a scrum from a penalty on Dorchester’s 5 metre line, but the Dorchester scrum held heroically, and eventually the county town side were able to clear their lines.
Shortly afterwards the lead was reduced by a team effort resulting in Nick Hodge getting his first try of the season. Wimborne countered with another, but Dorchester worked their way up the pitch again, a 15 –man effort, with Gareth wriggling through for a father-son double. The tricky conversion was ably taken by Sam Kershaw in his first Gladiators game, partnering fellow Colt Josh Hosfield who had an excellent debut, working hard in the forwards and also popping up in midfield to create space for the backs.
For the return game at the end of the season the Gladiators will need to create more opportunities, and be a little more aggressive in defence. However, the scoreline reflected an excellent defensive effort, as Wimborne had at least 2/3 of the possession; and when the opportunities were there Dorchester took them.
The Gladiators are Dorchester's third team. 
