Dorchester paid the penalty for not converting several good chances into tries and in the end can consider themselves fortunate to escape with a point.

The afternoon started promisingly with Dorchester applying the early pressure and it wasn’t long before a simple blind side move saw Tom Caines touch down in the right hand corner. James Rossiter was unable to convert from the touchline. Any thoughts that the visitors were in for an easy win however, were soon dispelled as the hosts rose to the challenge.

Dorchester looked dangerous but North Dorset tackled relentlessly and never gave an inch. Dorchester were also guilty of trying to attack from too deep and one such occasion when the ball was spilled the North Dorset scrum half was first to react, picking up and sprinting 30 metres to the line. On a day when the home side missed any number of simple goal kicks, the conversion was made from a tricky angle.

Dorchester had the benefit of the breeze in the second half but again seemed reluctant to make full use of it. Finally, as the game moved into the fourth quarter, Dorchester began to play the game in the North Dorset half and, following several near misses, Jack Elliott sliced through the middle for his second try in two games. Rossiter converted and Dorchester had a five point lead.

Over eagerness led to more chances to close the game out going begging and gave North Dorset the chance to win the game at the death. A superb try saving tackle by Rich Bament on the flying winger gave hope that the lead might be protected but a quick penalty caught Dorchester’s defence on the hop and North Dorset centre scored on the left. Fortunately for Dorchester the hosts kicking woes continued and the conversion was missed.

There were some positives from the game, particularly the scrummage, but Dorchester will need to improve their decision making and try and impose a bit more structure on their game in weeks to come.

Weatherbury Hearn- SEC - JW Scaffolding Man of the Match -

Team;  Hodgson, Chalker, Cottell (Borries 60), Hodges, Broadbent (King 70), Gower T, Newsam, O’Connell; Gower D, Rossiter; Caines (Harvey 60), Elliott, Read, Weller; Bament.