Dorchester went to the top of the table but not before they had overcome the sternest of challenges from their near neighbours. The visitors were not at their best but the commitment shown by Puddletown, especially around the tackle area, made it very difficult for
Dorchester to get much quick ball for their backs.
Puddletown elected to play with the stiff wind in the first period but were under pressure almost immediately. Dorchester camped in the right hand corner for a while before scrum half Luke Weller spotted a gap down the blindside and, cleverly using Rich Boyt as a distraction, he squirmed over for the first try. James Rossiter was unable to convert from wide out.
The hosts then began to gain some decent possession of their own, making several forays into the Dorchester twenty two. They never looked likely however to break down Dorchester’s defences and their only points came from a Dan Uddell penalty goal. Dorchester’s always looked the more dangerous and after some quick passing winger Tom Caines was put free on the left. He chipped over the fullback and Rich Bament won the race for the touchdown. Again Rossiter’s attempted conversion drifted wind in the wind but Dorchester took a seven point lead into the break.
With the wind behind them Dorchester might have been expected to run away with the game but the home side had different ideas, continually putting their bodies on the line to deny Dorchester time and space. James Rossiter added a penalty goal to the visitors total but that was to be the only score of the half. The Puddletown touch judge did rule out two tries, one for each side, on very marginal decisions but in the end the score was a fair reflection of the proceedings.
I is ten seasons since Dorchester have been top of any league table and nobody at the club is under any illusions about how difficult it will be to maintain that position in the coming weeks.
Weatherbury Hearn- SEC - JW Scaffolding Man of the Match: Luke Weller
Team; Hodgson, Chalker, Boyt (Cottell 65), Hodges, Broadbent, Gower D, Newsam, O’Connell (Gower T 70); Weller, Rossiter (Biddle 60); Caines, Waddington, Firkin, Elliott; Bament.
