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Dorchester hosted the Southern Counties league leaders Trowbridge which promised to provide a strong examination of the county towns recent found confidence, and the home side did not disappoint. To be fair Dorchester had been promising a performance like this for weeks, ever since their morale boosting victory over Blandford in the cup. Despite the testing elements this was a performance of courage and sheer guts against what was obviously a very strong side.
In the first half Dorchester used the wind well, with half backs Dave Gower and John Firkin kicking intelligently to the corners, allowing the home sides much improved lineout to good effect. Because of the conditions Dorchester's pack kept the ball tight, whilst Trowbridge decided to play a more expansive game which probably played into the home sides hands. the breakdown area was to become fiercely competitive, with flankers Sam Brown and Ian Dixon prominent throughout.
Towards the middle of the first half Trowbridge were starting to get frustrated, both with the referee and their inability to breakdown Dorchester's solid defence. This resulted in a number of penalties in which John Firkin kicked four inside the first half hour. In reply Trowbridge scored a good try, where after a number of phases they managed to spread the ball wide for their winger to score in the corner. Dorchester went in at half time 12-5 up.
The second half was going to be extremely testing for Dorchester as they were now playing into the wind. Trowbridge however still chose to run the ball at every opportunity, instead of kicking, which resulted in a number of lost opportunities as they frequently lost the ball in contact. The whole of the second period was played within Dorchester's half, where Trowbridge's driving mauls in particular were causing the home side a few problems. However Dorchester's defence was heroic.
Towards the end of the game Trowbridge eventually broke through when some tiered looking tackling allowed their number eight to score under the posts. The try was converted to make the scores 12-12.
In the dying minutes Dorchester broke up the field, where from forty meters out Fly Half John Firkin hit the post with his attempted drop goal.
It is difficult to single out individuals for praise for this was a team effort, the like of which has been absent for most of the season. The return of George Damen in the back row gave the team a lift, making some strong runs in the first half, enabling Dorchester to play on the front foot. The set piece is also starting to improve where the lineout was particularly strong. The forwards played with real commitment and the backs defended exceptionally well. This could well prove to be the turning point in Dorchester's season.
Next week Dorchester take a break from league action and entertain Minety in the cup.
