PUDDLETOWN 21

NORTH DORSET 10

It was a day of redemption as Puddletown got back to winning ways following last weekend's defeat as they got the better of North Dorset at Greenfields.

Following the disappointment of last weekend, the pressure was on to not let the good start of the season slip away. A North Dorset side made the journey south for a game which was in doubt until the late hours of Friday night due to lack of referee availability.

Once again for Puddle it was a quick start. A line break by Puddle player/coach Jacob Holt was followed with an offload to James Elwood who was able to run it in from 22 metres out.

Following the try North Dorset turned up the pressure. Off the back of a scrum the Badgers sent it wide and got up to the five metre line. Their pressure paid off as after a couple offloads the door opened and the visitors were over to get onto the board.

The pressure continued from the Badgers as they positioned themselves inside the Puddletown half for the next 10 minutes. Puddle continued to show their strength in defence as they continuously rebuffed the North Dorset attack.

Ill-discipline started to creep in for the Gillingham-based side as Puddle made their way up the pitch. Two penalties at scrum time allowed and a few knock ons, a much changed Puddle side were starting to come together as the half ended with the home side 7-5 ahead.

As the second half kicked off, it was North Dorset who were on the front foot as the slope was now in their favour. An early try for the away side was disallowed for a forward pass and from that moment Puddle didn’t look back.

A second try for James Elwood was followed up with an Andy Edmunds conversion and the next 15 minutes were spent camped in the opposition half.

A few missed kicks at goal was followed by a try for Hugo Wallington with 10 minutes to go. Off the back of a scrum the ball was spread wide, debutant Charlie Delargy put boot to ball which bounced up into the hands of Wallington who went over. The try was converted by Elwood from on the touchline.

The final action of the game came from North Dorset who went over for their second try of the match. The game finished with Puddle running out 21-10 victors.

Following the match, debutant Sam Eaton said: “Was great to finally make my debut for Puddletown and what a game to start on.

"Our offence was electric scoring within the first few minutes then came the defensive graft. Every player putting in shot after shot meant we took the win home. Huge win, onto the next.”