ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT 17

DORCHESTER 21

DORCHESTER Colts overcame an intimidating partisan atmosphere at Royal Wootton Bassett to win 21-17, lifting the Dorset & Wilts Plate.

Despite the long drive and strong home support, it was Dorchester who started the better. A disciplined kick chase, pressure off the line, and some tough tacking secured a turnover and playing through the phases initiated a well-worked try finished by Flynn Drummond.

During an unfortunate sequence of events, both Josh White and Finley Ling took knocks to the head and had to be removed from the field taking no further part proceedings.

Further injuries to Carl Batten and Jacob Cope caused more disruption for Dorchester, and ill-discipline crept in giving Bassett several penalties and territory with it.

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Some tough defence led by wingers Adam Thompson and Alex Cox kept Bassett down to a penalty kick, then followed by a converted try for the hosts, who led 10-7 at half-time.

Looking nervous as the second half kicked off, Dorchester failed to gather the ball cleanly, took play to outside their 22 and uncharacteristically kicked straight to touch, encouraging Bassett’s players and supporters.

Although the home side exacted sustained pressure, continuous forward disruption from the excellent Sam Bell and Monty Gwennap, aided by smothering midfield defence led by Alfie Langley, Cope and Henry Bartlett, kept Dorchester in the game.

Jack Mansfield, who has missed most of the season through injury, led a final quarter renaissance, with the attack finally able to get an offload game working.

Brilliant kicking from hand saw Dorchester finally playing in the right areas of the field and a try from Harry Wells saw Dorchester leading 14-10.

Unfortunately, their restart let them down and a knock-on invited sustained pressure on the visitors’ line, allowing Bassett to retake the lead.

With further injuries to Jules Wakeman and Lewis McBride, Dorchester lacked juice in the front row with no recognised hooker. However, heads did not drop and the side dug in well.

In a rare visit to the opposition 22, quick ruck ball by Toby Bemand gave Drummond the chance to squeeze over and give Dorchester a 21-17 lead with little time remaining.

The county town side had several dramatic moments as the time was closing in on the win, and in the dying embers Makensie Parker unexpectedly found himself with the responsibility of a line-out throw to secure the ball and win the final.

To their relief, the ball was knocked on by Bassett, giving the visitors the silverware.

Captain Ben Senior said after the game that he was proud of the entire squad for digging deep and finding a way to win and hoped that all, if not most, of the players from both teams would see each other again playing senior rugby next year.

The result again shows Dorchester’s strength in bringing through successful young talent and the depth of the club all through its playing sides.