PUDDLETOWN 15

EAST DORSET DOCKERS 17

DOCKERS took full advantage as the Villagers had an off day as they returned to Greenfields for the first time since September.

Following victory the other side of the ridgeway last weekend, expectations were high when the teams ran out onto the pitch.

Puddle had set an early pace at the top of the table and Dockers were keen to spoil the mood.

As the game kicked off, it seemed more of the same for Puddle. An early try from Bertie Hebburn Heath opened which was converted by Andy Edmunds gave promise for what was to come.

The early try was followed up by another and a penalty slotted by Eli Honner had the Villagers up 15 to nothing in the opening 20 minutes.

Buoyed by the opening 20, Dockers started to come right back into it. A penalty into the corner allowed them to set up a maul which was poorly defended by Puddle as they picked blind and went over for their opening score.

Five minutes later the Dockers were once again on the scoreboard. A scrum in the middle of the Puddle 22 allowed them to use their backs to move up to within five of the Puddletown try line. A few phases later they were over and now only three points behind Puddletown.

As the second half began, it was clear to see that the momentum was with Dockers.

Continuous pressure at set pieces allowed them to assert some control and the experience of their players shined through with how they managed the game.

It wasn’t until the 78th minute that the first score of the second half was to come. Dockers spread the ball wide into the hands of the full back who crossed the line in the corner.

It was to be the final action of the game as Dockers ran out 17-15 victors.

Puddletown coach Jacob Holt reflected on the Villagers first loss of the campaign.

he said: “Certainly an underwhelming game of code. To go up 15-0 in the first 20 with some very positive play and then compound error after error was disappointing to say the least.

"However, it’s a new week and a new opportunity. It would be great to be able to have some consistency in selection and nothing will be more motivating than the North Dorset team with a couple former players in it.

"Just like a kid with lice in the playground, we’ve got to shave our heads and get back on the monkey bars.”

Puddletown look to go back to winning ways when North Dorset II travel to Greenfields on Saturday, October 16 at 3pm.