NORTH DORSET 24
DORCHESTER 27
DORCHESTER came out on top 27-24 over North Dorset at Slaughtergate in a brilliant game of rugby.
With the lead changing hands several times, Dorchester won with the last play of the game to maintain their 100 per cent record in the new Counties One Tribute Southern South campaign.
Right from the kick-off the game went from end to end, the hosts had the better of the first quarter but the visitors opened the scoring when Brook Legg intercepted on halfway and outpaced the defence to the line.
Dorchester, not having their best day of goal kicking, missed the conversion.
The hosts then hit back quickly with a converted try from a driving line-out for 7-5.
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Although struggling up front, Dorchester continued to play an entertaining fast and loose game spreading the play wide at all times, keeping to their game plan.
They got their reward when Legg made ground on the left before feeding full-back Kieran Fry to score in the corner.
Then with the last play of the half, going left this time, Callum King drew the last two defenders to give Scott Peach a simple touch down.
Leading 15-7 with the slope and the wind in their favour Dorchester might have felt confident but the hosts started the second half with real purpose.
A converted try and a simple penalty gave them a 17-15 lead but Dorchester fought back well as forward pressure culminated in another converted try.
Dorchester were now a man down with a yellow card that appeared to be a case of mistaken identity but from good line-out ball King sliced through the home defence again and scored under the posts without a hand being laid on him.
King converted his own try to take the county town outfit’s lead to 22-17.
Coming back at Dorchester once more, North Dorset stuck to their forward-dominated game and eventually forced their way over for a third converted try.
As the game went into stoppage-time, North Dorset were camped on the Dorchester line seeking a bonus-point try.
Dorchester dug deep, determined not to concede, and turned the ball over earning a penalty. The penalty resulted in a line-out on North Dorset’s ten-metre line.
From the set-piece Dorchester made ground down the left touchline and the ball was quickly recycled.
Jack Adams and Jack Hayward combined to deadly effect in midfield, allowing Adams to speed in under the posts for the winning score as Dorchester ended a run of three straight defeats against North Dorset.
Dorchester head coach Josh Ovey said: “For me, the noise and celebration, that I was lucky enough to be part of when we scored that final try, shows just how close a squad we have become already this season.
"This shows what it means to all of us. Let’s continue to build, to grow and to win as one club.”
During the course of the match Dorchester took a couple of injuries in the forwards with Luke Robson taking a knock to the head and Chris Elliott clashing heads with one of his own second row players, causing a rather large and bloody cut.
Both are likely to be unavailable for next week’s home game against promoted side Blandford.
Clayson Scaffolding man of the match: Callum King
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