Leading from the front was:
1. Ross Mac 2. Shimmon Penjelly 3. Rulzy 4. Diversity Solway 5. Lawrence B 6. Stef 'the bod' 7. Newsence 8. Killer Keel 9. Big Dan Cree 10. Top Cat 11. Deadly 12. Wadders 13. Hewlett Packard 14. Katie Price 15. Clarkie 16. Jamie C 17. Samuel S 18. Billy G 19. Woody 20. Tick TOC
Recent performances have shown up the vast improvements made this year by the A XV, and whilst there has always been the ability (especially given the standard of the league we play in) there hasn't always been the commitment on and off the pitch.
An unconvincing display against North Bournemouth was followed by an excellent victory over the police before annihilation to Ellingham, and then victory against North Dorset before disaster at Swans typified the start to our season. Wins against Salisbury, Marlborough and Fordingbridge were split by a 3 point loss at Bridport before another drubbing this time to Sherborne 2's in the league. Against Ellingham we had a scratch team and used all the excuses in the book but the loss to Sherborne was just rubbish rugby, and the really Dorchester A XV turned up in the cup and lost again to Sherborne but this time by 4 points in a controversial match. This was followed with victory against Wheatsheaf before the real turning point of the season, our 14 man loss at South Wilts where we played some of our best rugby and looked the more likely team to win the game throughout.
Since this game we took revenge on Swan's and beat Salisbury with 14 men before starting a run of games where we would take on all the teams above us: Bridport, Ellingham, Sherborne then North Dorset. Bridport we won, Ellingham we out scored 2 tries to nil but lost by 2 points before this weeks game. So although we can't win the league, we can and will have a say on who does win.
With late losses in key positions within the front 5 it was still a strong team that traveled to Sherborne with the confidence to win the game, and from the start Dorchester took the game to the home side with a pack that although lacking size were very mobile. The communication in defence was awesome, fanning out quickly from rucks, plenty of ball being stolen in the tackle, the lineout was securing its own and stealing opposition ball whilst several breaks by the backs were unlucky not to result in several early tries. Sadly though two things went against us, TC had a bad day with the boot, and our lightweight pack struggled at the scrum, meaning despite the frequently knocked on passes by Sherborne, they were generally able to win most balls against the head. So for all our hard work after 20 minutes we were only 3 points up, but with our defence again holding strong Sherborne didn't look like scoring until after sustained pressure their prop found himself one meter out with only the 6 stone Mockett to beat but even then a thunderous hit from Jordan meant Sherborne only just managed to score. The conversion made, the half time score was 7 - 3.
With everyone having given everything, it is difficult to pick anyone out but Dan Cree deserves special mention for a truly outstanding game despite having to come off at half time, as did Stef, Rulzy and Jordan, not for doing anything wrong but to give the other guys a chance, and with the bar having been set so high, the subs raised their game too and the second half started as the first had with Dorchester in the ascendancy, but once again several breaks, this time by forward players didn't result in the scores they should have. A flurry of penalties were missed by both sides resulting in a frantic final 20, Sherborne looking to secure the win and Dorchester for a winning score producing good attacking rugby from both sides but eventually the game finished with the scores as they had been at half time.
Considering this is the side that in their last two games put 32 point on Bridport and 25 on North Dorset our defensive record speaks for itself, but as I explained to the team after the game, if we are going to move on from being valiant losers to winners we have to train together so that we can take our chances when we get them.
Finally with 17 players being in their late teens or early 20's, this team will be together for a while yet pushing first team players for their positions.
Man of the match was Simon Pengelly although Sam Keel was given a pint by Sherborne for his display, whilst dick of the day was Woody (he knows why).
Next Saturday, a re-arranged game away to North Dorset
