Despite blowing a handful of excellent scoring opportunities in the first half Dorchester finally overcame a spirited Bradford side to record their first league win since early February.

Bradford started confidently, securing the kick off and going through the phases until their fly half chipped into what he thought was space. Dorchester fullback Matt Read plucked it out of the air, beat three players and then outpaced the cover to the try line. Adam Jones added the extras and the visitors had made the best possible start.

Bradford continued to play an expansive game but were let down by handling errors at crucial moments. On several occasions Dorchester jumped on these errors, counter attacking superbly only to spill the scoring pass themselves.

Two well struck penalties put the hosts back in touch before their inside centre latched onto a clever chip in midfield and sprinted in under the posts. The conversion giving the hosts a six point lead. For the remainder of the first half Dorchester battered away at the Bradford line only to be frustrated by a combination of good defence and sloppy finishing.

Dorchester, with the benefit of the breeze, were much improved in the second half. After coming closed a couple of times prop Steve Hodgson strolled over in the right hand corner following a perfectly executed front peel. Minutes later Dorchester were again camped on the Bradford line.

This time it was the other prop Tom Bamlet who was on hand to crash over for try number three. Jones was unable to convert either of the tries but Dorchester were back in front and in control of the game.

With both sides becoming increasingly frustrated trying to come to terms with some of the referee’s decisions it was Dorchester better discipline that was the deciding factor in the last ten minutes. Two Adam Jones penalties ensuring that there was a comfortable finish for the visitors.

Acheson Construction man of the match: Tom Bamlet

Team:  Hodgson, Chalker, Bamlet, King (Broadbent 50), Makepeace, J Gower (Hawkins 20), Newsam, Dixon (Cottell 70); D Gower, Rossiter; Biddle, Jones, Harvey, T Gower; Read;