Dorchester 58-17 Blandford: Hosts seal back-to-back wins

BLANDFORD 17

DORCHESTER recorded back-to-back home victories in the Counties One Tribute Southern South courtesy of a 58-17 win over near neighbours Blandford.

Blandford came to compete hard and following an even first quarter the visitors held a narrow lead, however Dorchester soon overpowered their opponents for a comfortable bonus-point win, moving them up the table to seventh place.

Conditions were once again perfect for open running rugby and Dorchester were soon on the board, Alex Peel collecting his own kick ahead to score in the right corner.

Blandford hit back almost immediately, the hosts fumbling the ball as they tried to run out of defence, allowing the visitors to pounce and score a converted try.

READ MORE: Dorchester 31-15 Walcot - match report

Dorchester were dominating at both scrums and line-outs and lock Alex Sharp benefitted from a line-out catch and drive to score.

The conversion was missed, and Blandford soon retook the lead when another Dorchester handling error and kick through saw the visitors going over for a second try and a 12-10 lead.

From there, Dorchester tightened up their game and took total control of the match. Tries from Kieran Fry, Josh Ovey, Luke Robson, and Deklyn Bane along with a conversion apiece for Alex Peel and Callum King meant Dorchester went into the break with a healthy 22-point lead.

Dorchester continued their dominance in the second half. Lock forward Brad Mullins, enjoying an excellent season, was first to add his name to the scoresheet.

Brad Mullins, bottom, scored the first try in the second half (Image: TIM BEAVIS)

King went over in the left corner, Peel converting expertly, and captain Steve Tucker on his return from injury took the score past 50 before the game became a little disjointed.

Dorchester conceded a string of penalties and eventually the visitors added a third try, converted for 51-17.

Blandford pressed hard for a bonus-point try but it was Dorchester who closed out the match in style.

Running out from their own line, the ball went through several pairs of hands before Peel finished the move in the corner and converted his score to round off the win.

To Blandford’s credit, they never gave up hope of scoring and pushed Dorchester to produce match-winning rugby.

With several great performances throughout the side, scrum-half Jack Adams picked up the Clayson Scaffolding player-of-the-match accolade, making numerous breaks and providing quick ball for his backs.

Elsewhere, Dorchester A took on Poole in a Counties Three Tribute Dorset & Wilts South fixture also at home, and the strong squad were determined to end the season well.

The home side took a solid 25-14-win side in a tough, physical encounter against a determined Poole side.

With several new and returning players, Dorchester’s defence held up well with a solid back line led by Joe Styrin and the Clayson Scaffolding player of the match was awarded to Tom Lovell for his carries and work at the set piece.

Dorchester have one more game left in the league campaign and look good for a second-place finish in the league.