DORCHESTER 31

WALCOT 15

IN NEAR perfect conditions, Dorchester produced possibly their best performance of the season, comfortably beating second-placed Walcot 31-15 with a bonus-point victory in the Counties One Tribute Southern South.

Straight from the kick-off the visitors pinned Dorchester back in their own 22 but, as throughout the game, the county town outfit defended resolutely and Walcot had to be content with a penalty goal.

Dorchester, with Alex Peel pulling the strings, were playing fast and loose and were soon on the board.

Full-back Kieran Fry popped up as the extra man and crossed on the left, Peel adding the extras for 7-3.

READ MORE: Adam Makepeace and James Baker exit Dorchester for Weymouth & Portland

Both sides continued to play expansive rugby but Dorchester had the upper hand in the set-piece.

Scrum-half Jack Adams made the break in midfield and two passes later second row Brad Mullins went over for the home side’s second try.

Peel‘s conversion attempt came back off the post but Dorchester led 12-3.

The visitors were in no mood to capitulate and, following a period of pressure on the Dorchester line, the oppositions’ scrum-half sneaked over from close range. A successful conversion closed the gap to two points.

Dorchester winger Brook Legg was next to score, latching on to Peel’s crossfield kick and diving over in the right corner. The try went unconverted but Dorchester led 17-10.

The second half continued in similar fashion, both sides keen to run the ball but Dorchester’s dominance up front making the difference.

Prop Tom Louch made a series of punishing carries. Finally, Dorchester extended their lead, winger Cohen Emery confusing the defence with his footwork and adding the bonus-point try, Peel converting for 24-10.

The visitors did manage a second unconverted try but the hosts had the final say when replacement Scott Clark went over under the posts, Peel again adding the conversion.

As expected, Walcot, to their credit, never gave up and threw everything into one last attack but as for most of the afternoon the home defence held firm.

With many players having stand out games, Tom Louch took the Clayson player of the match accolade, awarded for his hard carrying and defensive efforts.

After the match, head coach Josh Ovey said: “Our defensive intensity and cohesion from the start caught a very good opposition off-guard.

“Line speed combined with dominant tackles subdued the usually effective and fast-paced Walcot.

“The aggressive defence allowed our attacking game plan to develop, with some strong carries from (Tom) Louch, Luke Robson and Laurence Burch to name but a few.

“This allowed another stand-out performer, Jack Adams, to link well with Alex Peel attacking at a fast pace to free up the back three into the space created out wide.”

The result puts Dorchester seventh in the table, with a game in hand on the two sides above them.

Next up, they lock horns with tenth-place Blandford at Surcouf Park, when a win should move them up the table.

Elsewhere Dorchester’s A XV fell 50-5 against a very well drilled Ellingham & Ringwood side who have proven worthy winners in Counties Three Tribute Dorset & Wilts South.