BOTH Dorchester’s 1st XV and A XV, had their Tribute league games cancelled at the weekend with respective oppositions being unable to field a side.

Saving the day, Poole Rugby Club agreed to a friendly match at short notice and sent a team to Surcouf Park, for which the club were grateful.

Club Player Development sponsor Clayson Scaffolding were present, and the club's newly installed electronic scoreboard was officially presented by former player and now Vice President John Sherry.

Although the scoreline favoured Dorchester, it did not reflect the quality of rugby played by both sides. Poole did have a try disallowed, and Clayson Man of the Match Archie Dale put in two try saving tackles to prevent them going over to register.

Dorchester A XV Captain, Jamie Jackson, commented how proud he was of his side with all the squad getting game time and not allowing their line to be breached in response to the 27 points they scored themselves.

Record try scorer, James Baker reflected after the game that the team’s structure was very good, and it was noted that many players were pushing for 1st XV places. Head Coach Josh Ovey echoed Baker’s thoughts saying: “I have not seen a community club with so much competition for every shirt before. Keep training hard, keep putting the work in, these sorts of results do not happen without by accident.”

With many of Dorchester’s 1st XV watching the game, a large crowd from both clubs joined in an impeccable moment of silence in respect for the late Queen.

After 3 rounds of the Counties 1 Tribute Southern South campaign, Dorchester currently sit atop the table, but with a big clash next weekend away to Royal Wootton Bassett also unbeaten, that will be undoubtedly a very hard-fought game. The County Town Clubs A XV head to Ellingham & Ringwood next Saturday for a tough Counties 3 Tribute Dorset & Wilts league match.