There was a time when travelling to Tadley without both first choice props would have been a cause for serious concern. These days Dorchester’s greater depth means that they made the long journey in good heart and managed to just shade a real thriller and continue their excellent start to the season.

The match did not start well, Dorchester made a hash of the kick off which quickly led to a simple penalty in front of their posts. The Tadley fly half, who kicked well all day, made no mistake. Tadley in turn messed up the restart, Dorchester stole the ball and Dave Gower put his brother Joe into a huge gap. Joe rounded the fullback and touched down for the opening try, which Adam Jones converted from the touchline.

Tadley then took control of the game and dominated most of the first period as Dorchester got sucked into playing to Tadley’s strengths rather than their own. The home side’s left winger crossed for a converted try in the corner and when Tadley’s No 8 barged his way over from a five metre scrum at the end of the half it looked like Dorchester’s run was at an end.

Five minutes of the “hairdryer treatment” from the Coach and Dorchester came out for the second half with a changed attitude. Then, when the host’s No 8 was sent to the bin, the comeback was well and truly on. Matt Read scored by the posts and Jones converted before replacement winger Toby Waddington held off two tacklers to score in the corner. Jones was unable to convert but the gap was down to a single point.

Dorchester were not finished however and flanker James Newsam was the beneficiary of a catch and drive move to score the next try which was also converted. Tadley were now back to full strength but their defence was in complete disarray as Waddington smashed his way through two defenders on the way to his second try giving the visitors an eleven point lead with twenty minutes to go.

Finally the home side gathered themselves together and began to play the way they had in the first half. The forwards rumbled over from close range to close the gap to a single score. The visitors went back on the attack and Adam Jones, ignoring a two man overlap managed to squeeze over for Dorchester’s sixth try of the day, he then managed the almost impossible feat of bouncing the conversion attempt on the top of the post.

Again Tadley fought back, again the forwards forced their way over and, when the conversion points were added, the gap was just four points. To add to the drama Dorchester’s hooker Mat Chalker was sent to the bin for the last minute but Tadley lacked the composure to cross for a winning try and Dorchester held on for the win.
             

Acheson Construction Man of the Match: Toby Waddington.

Team:  Borries, Chalker, Richards (Adams 60), Hodges, King (Makepeace 78), Gower T, Newsam, Hawkins; D Gower, Jones; Baker, Cuzens (Waddington 35), Harvey, J Gower; Read;