After producing their best performance of the season against Weymouth, Dorchester gave by far their worst display in losing to old rivals Swanage & Wareham.
Swanage, fielding a combination that mixed huge experience with youthful enthusiasm, showed greater hunger and commitment through most of the match and got their due reward to inflict a first league defeat on the visitors.
Straight from the kick off Swans were camped on the Dorchester line and eventually crossed for the first try, which went unconverted. Dorchester were having trouble getting into the game and soon fell further behind as the home side added a penalty goal to their score. Rich Bament kicked a penalty to get Dorchester on the board but then they conceded yet another needless penalty in front of their own posts. While Dorchester dozed, the Swanage centre took the kick to himself and dived over for a second try. The conversion was a formality and Dorchester turned round trailing by twelve points.
Stern words from the coaching staff ensured that the league leaders showed more urgency from the start of the second period. A simple threequarter move saw the ball shipped from left to right and winger James Baker had a stroll into the corner. The conversion was missed but it appeared that Dorchester had turned the corner. Yet again however, they conceded a penalty in front of the posts and Swans extended the lead to ten points. Dorchester knew that to win they needed to spread the ball wide but furious counter rucking by Swans continually disrupted Dorchester possession and restricted opportunities to stretch the game.
Dorchester were thrown a lifeline when the Swanage backs, having dropped the ball, were forced to infringe to prevent a Dorchester try. The referee spotted the pull back and awarded a penalty try. The conversion narrowed the gap to just three points but, despite a couple of half chances Dorchester were unable to score again.
Dorchester now top the league by only a single point and have two crucial games before the Christmas break. A good win next week against Warminster is vital before the rematch with Weymouth.
Weatherbury Hearn- SEC - JW Scaffolding Man of the Match: Jack Elliott
Team; Hodgson, Pengelly, Cottell, Hodges, Makepeace, O’Connell (Hawkins 60), Gower T, Gower D; Weller, Rossiter; Baker, Biddle, Harvey (Firkin 50), Elliott; Bament.
