This was a game that Dorchester should have had wrapped up in the first fifteen minutes but in the end can consider themselves lucky to have escaped with a draw.

Playing up the slope in the first half, the visitors dominated the opening exchanges but trashed several try scoring opportunities through a lack of composure. The only return from this period was an Adam Jones penalty. Having survived the opening quarter Devizes began to grow in confidence with their young backs looking pacy and dangerous.

Twenty five minutes in’ Dorchester finally scored the opening try, fullback Matt Read beating five defenders in a sixty metre run to the post. Jones added the conversion points. The hosts responded immediately and their forwards forced their way over the line from close range. The conversion and a penalty by Devizes’ excellent fly half levelled the score at the interval.

Coach Mike Sprules laid into his team during the break and this appeared to have done the trick. A period of pressure leading to a simple penalty chance for Jones which he duly converted. The home side however fought back and soon had a penalty chance of their own. The successful kick again equalising the scores. Dorchester were having trouble putting any phases together and were unable to impose themselves on the match. The hosts then took the lead for the first time midway though the second half, a missed tackle in midfield allowing space for the left winger to sprint over for a converted try.

Dorchester threw everything at their opponents but continued to show a lack of precision and failed to convert several chances into tries. Finally with time ticking away Adam Jones spotted a gap in the home defence and managed to hold off two defenders to touch down under the posts. The conversion bought the scores level once again.

There was still time for Dorchester to almost gift Devizes a winning score, Matt Read’s try saving tackle rescuing the situation after a sloppy pass had been intercepted. The hosts then had a chance to snatch victory with the last kick of the game but the penalty attempt drifted just wide.

Acheson Construction man of the match: Callum Hawkins

Team:  Warren, Chalker, Hodgson, Broadbent (Borries 65), King (Underhill 60), Hawkins, Miller, Dixon; D Gower, Jones; Morgan, Biddle, Harvey, T Gower; Read;